PHNOM PENH: ASEAN and the United States are expected to upgrade relations to the higher level of a comprehensive strategic partnership this year, according to ASEAN Summit Spokesperson, Kung Phoak.

"I hope that everything will go according to plan, I hope everyone can enjoy [seeing] this relationship [go up] another level of comprehension," Spokesperson Kung Phoak said at a press conference on Saturday morning, 12 November.

He added that the potential of US-ASEAN relations is very large economically, socially, and politically. He said raising the level of partnership will allow for new partnership opportunities, adding that ASEAN and US ministers will first discuss climate change and environmental issues.

At the ASEAN-US Special Summit hosted in Washington, D.C. in May 2022, ASEAN and US leaders pledged to upgrade their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership at the ASEAN Summit.