US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo yesterday sought to reassure fellow ministers that Asean is central to Washington's Indo-Pacific strategy, which members of the group have thus far been lukewarm about.

Foreign ministers from Asean and its key partners are meeting in Singapore this week, with shifts in the global order and trade tensions high on the minds of many. The ministers have stressed the importance of keeping the regional architecture open and inclusive, and resolving disagreements through dialogue.

The meetings culminate in the 27-member Asean Regional Forum today, when ministers including Mr Pompeo, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and top North Korean diplomat Ri Yong Ho will discuss security challenges facing the region.

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