US-ASEAN Business Council Leads 9th Consecutive Delegation, Advocating for Sustainable and Secure Transportation Systems at the 29th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting

The US-ASEAN Business Council (“The Council”) led its 9^th consecutive delegation to the 29^thASEAN Transport Ministers (ATM) Meeting in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, engaging with 10 ASEAN transport ministers and officials from November 7 to 10. The 29^th ATM was chaired by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Lao PDR. This Business Mission signifies the Council's second in-person business mission to the ATM since the pandemic. The delegation was co-led by Ambassador Brian D. McFeeters, the Council’s Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director, and Ilham Bustami, US-ABC Supply Chains Committee lead and FedEx’s Head of Government Affairs for Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
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​This Business Mission also marks the Council's inaugural participation in a Senior Transport Officials Meeting (STOM) during the 56^th STOM. At this meeting, the Council submitted a Recommendation Paper on the The Electric Vehicle Ecosystem in ASEAN. The Council also proposed to conduct a workshop on Sustainable Infrastructure covering the themes of Green Infrastructure Design, Transportation Interoperability and Intramodality, and Institutional Capacity Building; and virtual roundtables to discuss the Recommendations Paper, covering issues on EV standards and regulations in ASEAN, EV infrastructure development in ASEAN, as well as challenges, recommendations, and best practices.
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​The Business Mission also held a working luncheon consultation with transport ministers from nine ASEAN Member States and Timor Leste, along with a representative from the Ministry of Transport of Indonesia. During this Luncheon, each company delegation provided their remarks, focusing on topics of Supply Chains Resiliency and Sustainability, Masterplan on ASEAN Connectivity, Transportation Interoperability and Mobility, and Electric Vehicle regulatory and Policy Framework.
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​“As the foremost policy advocacy organization representing U.S. companies in the ASEAN, the realm of transport and infrastructure is consistently recognized as a prime arena for our member companies to foster prospective partnerships and offer support to the ASEAN member states,” said Amb. Brian McFeeters. “This year’s business mission theme centers on Sustainable, Safe, and Secure Transportation Systems to Sustain ASEAN’s Supply Chain Resilience, which we believe are crucial elements in spearheading pivotal programs to bolster and uplift the transport and infrastructure sector within the ASEAN.”
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​During the Chair of the 28th ATM, H.E. Mr. Ngampasong Muongmany's opening remarks, he emphasized the importance of the mission theme: Enhance safety and sustainability of transport. The acknowledgment of the private sector's crucial role in steering actions within the transport sector underscores the collaborative effort required for success. Furthermore, the Chair highlighted the vital importance of the ASEAN Supply Chains Systems, emphasizing its role as a cornerstone for regional connectivity and prosperity. These insights reaffirm The Council’s commitment to fostering a safer, more sustainable, and interconnected future for ASEAN.
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​Subsequently, bilateral meetings were conducted with ministers, Secretary Generals, and representatives of:

The business mission delegation comprised representatives from six Council member companies: FedEx (Chair of the Supply Chains Committee), UPS and 3M (Vice Chairs of the Supply Chains Committee), Boeing, VinFast, and Autodesk.