USABC Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening ASEAN's Financial Ecosystem at 13th ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Virtual Engagement Amid Energy Constraints
On April 8-10, 2026, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) led a virtual delegation of 10 U.S. businesses to the 13th ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting (AFMGM), with the Philippines serving as the ASEAN Chair 2026. The Council’s delegation was co-led by Ambassador Brian McFeeters (ret.), USABC’s Interim President and CEO, along with Mark Eggleton, Senior Vice President of Asia-Pacific Government Affairs at Chubb, and Catherine Simmons, Head of Regional Government Affairs at Citi, as the Co-Chairs of the Financial Services Committee.
During the AFMGM – USABC plenary consultation session, the Council and its members presented a white paper titled “Beyond Borders: Advancing an Inclusive and Resilient Digital Financial Future for ASEAN” to the Ministers and Governors, with themes including accelerating ASEAN’s investment climate through digital transformation, enhancing the region’s digital payments ecosystem, and advocating for future-proof policies to safeguard long-term development. Amb. McFeeters said, “This whitepaper reflects the U.S. private sector’s commitment to partnering with ASEAN governments to advance an inclusive and resilient digital financial ecosystem. It puts forward practical recommendations to unlock private sector investment in digital finance and transformation, strengthen the region’s payments ecosystem, and enhance financial resilience. These efforts are critical to supporting long-term growth and financial stability across ASEAN.”
Apart from the annual plenary session during AFMGM, the USABC delegation held a series of bilateral engagements with officials from the Cambodian Ministry of Economy and Finance, the National Bank of Cambodia, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Asian Development Bank, and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines.
Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and a prolonged global energy crisis, USABC and its member companies remain committed to partnering with ASEAN to navigate these challenges. ASEAN’s growing role as a resilient and dynamic region positions it as a critical buffer in maintaining stability and supporting sustainable growth in the global economy.
Companies participating in the mission included Chubb, Citi, Amazon, American Express, Manulife, Mastercard, RGA, Starr Insurance, Stripe, and Visa.
Access the USABC whitepaper here: https://www.usasean.org/article/2026-afmgm-whitepaper
Read the official AFMGM statement here: https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/13th-AFMGM-JS_Adopted_20260410.pdf