Southeast Asia's Economic Outlook: A Roundtable with US Ambassadors
Join us for a conversation with US ambassadors to Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, and the Philippines to discuss Southeast Asia’s economic outlook and ASEAN’s role in the region.
Apr
25
Hamish Blair / AP
About This Event
With a population of 662 million people and a combined GDP of over $3.2 trillion, the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have significant economic potential. At the same time, ASEAN’s member states can at times struggle to find a unified vision. How is the business environment in Southeast Asia changing and what opportunities for growth are there? How can ASEAN navigate US-China competition? And how do the domestic politics of each country shape the environment for American diplomacy? Join the Council for a roundtable with US ambassadors to Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, and the Philippines to discuss these questions and more.
Please note that space for this program is limited.
About the Speakers
US Ambassador to Vietnam
Marc E. Knapper has served as US Ambassador to Vietnam since February 2022. Previously, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Korea and Japan and Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in South Korea.
US Ambassador-designate to Malaysia
Edgard D. Kagan was confirmed as US Ambassador-designate to Malaysia in December 2023. Previously, he served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania at the National Security Council, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US embassies in India and Malaysia, and Deputy Assistant Secretary in the State Department.
US Ambassador to Laos
Heather Roach Variava has served as US Ambassador to Laos since January 2024. Previously, she served as Deputy Chief of Mission, Chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Philippines, Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’affaires at the US Mission to Indonesia, and as US Consul General in Surabaya, Indonesia.
US Ambassador to the Philippines
MaryKay Loss Carlson has served as US Ambassador to the Philippines since July 2022. Previously, she served as the Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina and New Delhi, India, and Principal Deputy Executive Secretary for the Secretary of State in Washington, DC.
President and CEO, US-ASEAN Business Council
Ted Osius has been the President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council since August 2021. A diplomat for thirty years, Osius most recently served as US Ambassador to Vietnam from 2014 to 2017.
CEO, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Ivo H. Daalder served as the US ambassador to NATO from 2009 to 2013. He joined the Council as president in 2013 and took on the new role of CEO in 2023. Previously, he was a senior fellow in foreign policy studies at the Brookings Institution and served as director for European affairs on President Bill Clinton’s National Security Council. He is the author or editor of 10 books.
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