Biden names Yohannes Abraham as envoy to Asean stressing US attention for the region
- Yohannes Abraham has been nominated for a post that has been vacant since the start of Donald Trump’s administration in 2017
- US-Asean summit marked the first time Asean leaders gathered as a group in Washington and their first meeting hosted by an American president since 2016
President Joe Biden on Friday announced he is nominating one of his top national security aides as ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, aiming to underscore his administration’s commitment to the Pacific region.
Biden announced his decision to nominate Yohannes Abraham, chief of staff to the White House National Security Council, to serve as the US representative to the 10-country bloc as he wrapped up talks with leaders of Asean, who gathered in Washington for a two-day “special summit.”
Biden’s efforts to put greater emphasis on the Pacific region have been overtaken in recent months by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
With his nomination of an ambassador to Asean – the US is currently represented by a chargé d’affaires – the president sought to send the message that he is serious about recalibrating American foreign policy to have greater focus on Asia and to strengthen the US role as a counterweight to China’s rapid rise in the region.
Biden described Abraham as one of his closest advisers
“I’m a little concerned to send him because he knows how I think. He knows so much about me,” Biden joked with the Asean leaders about Abraham. “But all kidding aside, I think you’re going to find him completely knowledgeable, and he speaks for me and he speaks for my administration.”
Abraham’s nomination, which requires Senate confirmation, came after the White House announced on Thursday that the United States would commit more than US$150 million for new projects to bolster Southeast Asia’s climate, maritime and public health infrastructure.