,,iii #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 ,,res4 #aeg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #d1 #bjag ,mr4 ,cardin 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,mc,cain1 ,mr4 ,markey1 ,mr4 ,coons1 ,mr4 ,schatz1 ,mrs4 ,feinstein1 and ,ms4 ,hirono7 submitted the following resolution2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,,resolution ,recognizing that for #ej years1 the ,association of ,south ,east ,asian ,nations 7,,asean7 and its ten members--,brunei1 ,cambodia1 ,indonesia1 ,laos1 ,malaysia1 ,myanmar1 the ,philippines1 ,singapore1 ,thailand1 and ,vietnam--have worked toward stability1 prosperity1 and peace in ,southeast ,asia4 ,whereas the ,united ,states and ,,asean have worked together to advance our shared goals for #dj years1 having established dialogue relations on ,september #aj1 #aigg1 with the issuing of the #aigg ,joint ,communique of the ,first ,,asean-,united ,states ,dialogue1 and the ,united ,states acceding to the ,treaty of ,amity and ,cooperation in ,southeast ,asia 7,,tac7 at the ,,asean ,post ,ministerial ,conference ,session with the ,united ,states in ,thailand on ,july #bb1 #bjji2 ,whereas the ,united ,states was the first non-,,asean country to appoint an ambassador to ,,asean on ,april #bi1 #bjjh1 and the first dialogue partner to establish a permanent mission to ,,asean in #bjaj2 ,whereas the ,united ,states has supported efforts to strengthen the ,,asean ,secretariat and expand its role in providing greater coordination between1 and enhancing the effectiveness of1 regional institutions2 ,whereas working together1 the ,governments and people of the ,united ,states and ,,asean can help realize their common vision of a peaceful1 prosperous1 rules-based ,asia-,pacific region that offers security1 opportunity1 and dignity to all of its citizens2 ,whereas ,,asean's #aj members1 taken collectively1 are the #gth largest economy in the world1 with an annual gross domestic product of #b1djj1jjj1jjj1jjj1 and represent the ,united ,states fourth-largest export market with total two-way trade in goods and services reaching #bed1jjj1jjj1jjj1 allowing over #ghj1jjj visitors to the ,united ,states in #bjae1 which contribute more than #e1jjj1jjj1jjj to the ,united ,states economy1 and accounting for more than #ejj1jjj jobs in the ,united ,states2 ,whereas ,,asean's #aj members represent a diverse group of nations and dynamic economies with an expanding workforce1 a growing middle class1 and a diverse set of skills1 cultures1 and resources1 which of the estimated #bj1jjj1jjj ,asian ,americans in the ,united ,states1 includes over #g1jjj1jjj who identify with an ,,asean ethnicity1 including #d1jjj1jjj ,filipinos and #a1ijj1jjj ,vietnamese2 ,whereas ,,asean is home to critical global sea lanes located at the center of the world's strongest economic growth area1 with #e1cjj1jjj1jjj1jjj of global trade and more than half of total shipped tonnage transiting through ,,asean's waters each year2 ,whereas ,,asean1 taken collectively1 is one of the fastest growing economies in ,asia after ,china and ,india1 expanding by #ff percent since #bjjf and exceeding the global growth average for the past ten years2 ,whereas the ,,asean ,economic ,community aims to create one of the largest single market economies in the world1 facilitating the free movement of goods1 services1 and professionals and engendering a sense of economic community among its member states2 ,whereas the ,united ,states is the largest investor in ,southeast ,asia1 with total foreign direct investment stock of nearly #bgc1ejj1jjj1jjj in #bjad1 creating millions of jobs in the ,united ,states and in ,,asean member states1 while investment in the ,united ,states from ,southeast ,asia has increased more than any other region's investment in the past decade2 ,whereas the ,united ,states has helped ,,asean create a ,single ,window customs facilitation system that will aid in expediting intra-,,asean trade and make it easier for ,united ,states businesses to operate in the region2 ,whereas the ,united ,states-,,asean ,business ,alliance for ,competitive ,small and ,medium ,sized ,enterprises 7,s,m,es7 has already trained more than #d1fjj small to medium enterprises1 with nearly half of the individuals trained being young women entrepreneurs2 ,whereas ,united ,states-,,asean development cooperation has focused on innovation and capacity-building efforts in technology1 education1 disaster management1 food security1 human rights1 and trade facilitation2 ,whereas the ,lower ,mekong ,initiative1 established on ,july #bc1 #bjji1 is a multinational effort that helps promote sustainable economic development in mainland ,southeast ,asia to foster integrated1 multisectoral1 subregional cooperation and capacity building2 ,whereas the ,declaration on the ,conduct of ,parties in the ,south ,china ,sea 7,,doc7 was signed by all members of ,,asean and the ,people's ,republic of ,china 7,,prc7 on ,november #d1 #bjjb1 committing ,,asean and the ,,prc to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability1 and reaffirming that the adoption of a code of conduct in the ,south ,china ,sea would further promote peace and stability in the region and agree to work1 on the basis of consensus1 toward the eventual attainment of this objective2 ,whereas the leaders of the ,united ,states and ,,asean1 at their ,special ,leaders ,summit in ,sunnylands1 ,california1 on ,february #af1 #bjaf1 reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintain peace1 security1 and stability in the region and ensure maritime security and safety1 including by respecting the rights of freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the seas1 and unimpeded lawful maritime commerce as described in the #aihb ,united ,nations ,convention on the ,law of the ,sea 7,,unclos7 as well as non-militarization and self-restraint in the conduct of activities2 ,whereas ,,asean is a partner to the ,united ,states on key transnational challenges1 such as terrorism1 violent extremism1 climate change1 environmental degradation and pollution1 energy1 infectious diseases1 disarmament1 proliferation of weapons of mass destruction1 cybersecurity1 trafficking in persons1 illicit trafficking of wildlife and timber1 and illegal1 unregulated1 and unreported fishing2 ,whereas the ,united ,states supports the ,east ,asia ,summit 7,,eas7 as the premier leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on political1 security1 and economic issues in the region and commends the direction set in the ,kuala ,lampur ,declaration at the ,,eas #ajth anniversary1 including the new exchange mechanism for ,,eas members' ambassadors2 ,whereas the ,united ,states1 ,,asean1 and other ,dialogue ,partners1 through the #bjae ,east ,asia ,summit1 adopted a statement on transnational cyber issues that emphasizes the importance of regional cooperation to improve the security and stability of cyber networks1 setting an important precedent for strengthening practical cooperation1 risk reduction1 and confidence building in cyberspace2 ,whereas the #bjaf ,east ,asia ,summit in ,vientiane adopted a statement on non-proliferation that reaffirmed the ,united ,states1 ,,asean's1 and other ,dialogue ,partners' leaders' support for efforts at the national1 regional1 and international level to promote nuclear disarmament1 nuclear non-proliferation1 and peaceful uses of nuclear energy1 and reiterated the importance of nuclear security to combating nuclear terrorism2 ,whereas ,north ,korea's provocative missile launches and nuclear tests highlights the threat posed by its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and contradicts calls by ,,asean leaders at the #bjaf ,east ,asia ,summit in ,vientiane for ,north ,korea to abide by multiple ,united ,nations ,security ,council resolutions and international obligations2 ,whereas changes in climatic conditions in the ,,asean region over the past four decades have resulted in major loss and damage throughout the ,,asean region with a disproportionate impact on developing countries1 with the experiences of ,cyclone ,nargis in ,myanmar and ,typhoon ,haiyan in the ,philippines1 as well as the impacts that climate-caused ocean acidification has had on fish stocks1 coral resources1 and coastal agriculture1 providing stark evidence of the destructive impacts on the region2 ,whereas conservation and sustainable management of forests throughout ,,asean play an important role in helping to mitigate changes in the climate1 reduce the risks of extreme weather events and other climate-driven disasters1 and provide sustainable economic livelihood opportunities for local communities2 ,whereas the ,united ,states will pursue initiatives that are consistent with broader sustainable development1 including the achievement of food security and poverty alleviation throughout the ,,asean region2 ,whereas the ,united ,states is a committed partner with ,,asean on the protection of human rights1 which are not only essential for fostering and maintaining stability1 security1 and good governance1 but protecting the basic rights and fundamental dignities of the people of ,,asean2 ,whereas the ,united ,states supports the work and mandate of the ,,asean ,intergovernmental ,commission on ,human ,rights 7,,aichr71 including capacity building for the promotion and protection of human rights and the ,,aichr's priorities programs1 and activities2 ,whereas the ,young ,southeast ,asian ,leaders ,program has now engaged over #ajj1jjj people between the ages of #ah and #ce across all #aj ,,asean nations to promote innovation among young people while also providing skills to a new generation who will create and fill the jobs of the future2 ,whereas the irregular movement of persons continues to be one of the main security threats in the ,southeast ,asia region2 ,whereas addressing migration flows and combating human smuggling and human trafficking in ,,asean is an important1 ongoing challenge requiring increased coordination and shared responsibility2 ,whereas1 on ,november #ba1 #bjae1 ,,asean member states signed the ,,asean ,convention ,against ,trafficking in ,persons1 ,especially ,women and ,children1 which represents an important step forward in preventing human trafficking1 prosecuting the perpetrators1 and protecting the survivors2 ,whereas the ,united ,states supports ,,asean member states in anticorruption efforts through1 among other initiatives1 the implementation of the ,united ,nations ,convention ,against ,corruption2 ,whereas ,vice ,president ,mike ,pence traveled to ,jakarta1 ,indonesia1 on ,april #bj1 #bjag1 where he met with the ,,asean ,secretary ,general and ,,asean ,permanent ,representatives1 congratulated ,,asean on its #ejth anniversary1 and remarked on the #djth anniversary of the ,united ,states diplomatic relationship with ,,asean1 noting that the ,united ,states-,,asean relationship without a doubt has benefitted both ,,asean and ,america--diplomatically1 economically1 and from the standpoint of national security2 ,whereas1 on this visit1 ,vice ,president ,pence pledged that the ,united ,states would redouble our cooperation with ,,asean on issues of regional security and continue to support increased information sharing and security efforts to protect our people and our way of life across the ,,asean region and across the wider world1 and continue to work closely with ,,asean to promote peace and stability in the ,south ,china ,sea by upholding a rules-based order1 ensuring the lawful and unimpeded flow of commerce1 and encouraging the peaceful and diplomatic resolution of disputes2 ,whereas1 on this visit1 ,vice ,president ,pence remarked that by strengthening our economic ties1 the ,united ,states and ,,asean member nations can foster jobs1 prosperity1 and growth in new and unprecedented ways and that ,american exports to ,,asean member nations already support more than #eej1jjj jobs in the ,united ,states1 and almost #db1jjj ,u4,s4 companies export more than #ajj1jjj1jjj1jjj in goods and services to ,,asean nations every year2 and ,whereas1 on this visit1 ,vice ,president ,pence announced that ,president ,trump will attend the ,u4,s4-,,asean ,summit1 the ,east ,asia ,summit in the ,philippines1 and the ,,apec ,leaders ,meeting in ,vietnam this ,november3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that the ,senate-- 7#a7 welcomes the leaders of the ,association of ,south ,east ,asian ,nations 7,,asean7 to the ,united ,states for the meetings with ,secretary of ,state ,rex ,tillerson and congressional members1 and affirms the meeting as the first of regular ,united ,states-,,asean meetings2 7#b7 supports and affirms the elevation of the ,united ,states-,,asean relationship to a strategic partnership and recommits the ,united ,states to ,,asean centrality and to helping to build a strong1 stable1 politically cohesive1 economically integrated1 and socially responsible ,,asean community with common rules1 norms1 procedures1 and standards consistent with international law and the principles of a rules-based ,asia-,pacific community2 7#c7 urges ,,asean to continue its efforts to foster greater integration and unity toward the ,,asean community2 7#d7 recognizes the value of ,,asean working with economic1 political1 and security partners such as ,australia1 ,canada1 the ,european ,union1 ,india1 ,japan1 ,new ,zealand1 ,norway1 the ,republic of ,korea1 and ,taiwan both inside of and outside of ,asia1 as well as the advantage of strategic economic initiatives like the ,u4,s4-,,asean ,connect that demonstrate a commitment to ,,asean and the ,,aec and build upon economic relationships in the region2 7#e7 reaffirms the enhancement of ,united ,states-,,asean economic engagement1 including the elimination of barriers to cross-border commerce1 and supports the ,,asean ,economic ,community's goals1 including strong1 inclusive1 and sustainable growth and cooperation with the ,united ,states that focuses on innovation and capacity building efforts in technology1 education1 disaster management1 food security1 human rights1 and trade facilitation1 including for ,,asean's poorest countries2 7#f7 supports efforts by ,,asean nations to address maritime and territorial disputes in a constructive manner and to pursue claims through peaceful1 diplomatic1 and legitimate regional and international arbitration mechanisms1 consistent with international law1 including through the adoption of a code of conduct in the ,south ,china ,sea to further promote peace and stability in the region2 7#g7 urges all parties to maritime and territorial disputes in the ,asia-,pacific region1 including the ,,prc-- 7,a7 to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would undermine stability or complicate or escalate disputes through the use of coercion1 intimidation1 or military force2 and 7,b7 to refrain from new efforts to militarize uninhabited islands1 reefs1 shoals1 and other features1 including the construction of new garrisons and facilities and the relocation of additional military personnel1 materiel1 or equipment2 7#h7 opposes actions by any country to prevent any other country from exercising its sovereign rights to the resources of the exclusive economic zone 7,,eez7 and continental shelf by seeking to enforce claims to those areas in the ,south ,china ,sea that have no support in international law2 7#i7 opposes unilateral declarations of administrative and military districts in contested areas in the ,south ,china ,sea2 7#aj7 supports efforts to negotiate the joint management of maritime resources through diplomacy and peaceful negotiation2 7#aa7 urges parties to refrain from unilateral actions that cause permanent physical damage to the marine environment and supports the efforts of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration and ,,asean to implement guidelines to address illegal1 unreported1 and unregulated fishing in the region2 7#ab7 supports efforts by ,united ,states partners and allies in ,,asean-- 7,a7 to enhance maritime capability and maritime domain awareness2 7,b7 to protect unhindered access to and use of international waterways in the ,asia-,pacific region that are critical to ensuring the security and free flow of commerce2 7,c7 to counter piracy2 7,d7 to disrupt illicit maritime trafficking activities such as the trafficking of persons1 goods1 and drugs2 and 7,e7 to enhance the maritime capabilities of countries or regional organizations to respond to emerging threats to maritime security in the ,asia-,pacific region2 7#ac7 urges ,,asean member states to develop a common approach to reaffirm the decision of the ,permanent ,court of ,arbitration in ,the ,hague's ruling with respect to the case between the ,republic of the ,philippines and the ,people's ,republic of ,china2 7#ad7 reaffirms the commitment of the ,united ,states to continue joint efforts with ,,asean to halt human smuggling and trafficking in persons and urges ,,asean to make increased efforts to create and strengthen regional mechanisms to provide assistance and support to refugees and migrants2 7#ae7 supports the ,lower ,mekong ,initiative1 which has made significant progress in promoting sustainable economic development in mainland ,southeast ,asia and fostering integrated subregional cooperation and capacity building2 7#af7 urges ,,asean to build capacity for the promotion and protection of human rights by ,,asean member states1 and the implementation of related priorities1 programs1 and activities2 7#ag7 urges ,,asean governments to engage directly with leaders of civil society and human rights1 including advocates of religious freedom and victims of human rights abuses1 and environmental groups and to prioritize the construction of forums that give these stakeholders a voice to instruct public policy1 before1 during1 and after the ,february #bjaf summit2 7#ah7 encourages the ,president to communicate to ,,asean leaders the importance of protecting human rights1 ending extrajudicial killings1 including releasing political prisoners and ending politically motivated prosecutions1 strengthening civil society1 safeguarding freedom of the press1 freedom of assembly1 and the free flow of information and ideas1 and promoting the rule of law and open and transparent government2 7#ai7 supports the ,young ,southeast ,asian ,leaders ,initiative program as an example of people-to-people partnership building that provides skills1 networks1 and leadership capabilities to a new generation of people who will create and fill jobs1 foster cross-border cooperation and partnerships1 and rise to solve the regional and global challenges of the future2 and 7#bj7 urges ,,asean governments to fully uphold and implement all ,united ,nations ,security ,council resolutions and international agreements with respect to ,north ,korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs4