US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo makes a speech during the ASEAN - US Ministerial Meeting, which was held online on September 10, 2020 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship is an opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation and collaboration, Brown said, adding that ASEAN demonstrates its effectiveness when its members speak with one voice on security and economic challenges.

She expressed her hope that under Vietnam’s Chairmanship, ASEAN will stand together to address pressing regional challenges like maritime security, trans-national crime, terrorism, humanitarian crises, and protecting the rights of the region’s most vulnerable populations.