US-ASEAN Business Council Offers its Condolences on the Passing of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States
(Washington D.C.) The Board of Directors, members and staff of the US-ASEAN Business Council convey their deep condolences to the Carter family, the American people, and friends in ASEAN and beyond on the passing of the 39th President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Jimmy Carter.
During his presidency, President Carter achieved significant foreign policy milestones driven by his commitment to human rights, inclusion, and peace. His notable legacies include the signing of the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel in 1978 and the ratification of the Panama Canal Treaties in 1977, which strengthened ties with Central and South America. In 1979, he normalized diplomatic relations with China and finalized negotiations on the SALT II nuclear arms limitation treaty with the Soviet Union. As a testament to his dedication to inclusivity, President Carter established the first Asian Pacific American Heritage Week in May 1979, which was later extended to Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. President Carter also laid the groundwork for U.S. engagement with ASEAN, initiating dialogue with the Southeast Asian bloc in 1977 and hosting the first-ever U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Washington in 1978.
President Carter's dedication to democracy, human rights, and humanitarian services extended well beyond his presidency and the borders of the United States. After his tenure, in 1983, he established The Carter Center, which focuses on international health programs, particularly the eradication of neglected tropical diseases, and peace initiatives in different regions including Southeast Asia. The Center’s programs on election monitoring have also spanned countries in ASEAN such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar, which Carter personally visited.
“As President, Jimmy Carter championed democracy, human rights and religious freedom, making them integral to U.S. foreign policy," said Amb. Ted Osius, President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council. “His legacy of values-based leadership will remain synonymous with the American brand and for that, among his other accomplishments, the U.S. private sector owes him a debt of gratitude.”, he added.