The United States has reiterated its support for the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, official sources in the Philippines said Wednesday.
The sources said US Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met up with the 10 ambassadors from ASEAN in the United States.
Sherman stressed Washington continued to be ASEAN’s partner in addressing regional challenges, including freedom of navigation in the South and East China Seas and restoring Myanmar’s “path toward democracy.”
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez represented the Philippines in the meeting.
Washington has so far donated 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines.
It also more than P1.9 billion worth of assistance for the Philippines’ COVID-19 response.
Aside from vaccines, the US also gave medical equipment, personal protective equipment, and other forms of support during the pandemic.
The largest single contributor to Gavi’s COVAX Advance Market Commitment, the United States has donated $4 billion to COVAX.