(Bandar Seri Begawan, 8th) Michael George DeSombre, the US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, visited Brunei from June 5 to 7, 2026.
This visit highlights the United States' strong and enduring commitment to its Southeast Asian partners.
During the visit, Assistant Secretary Michael George DeSombre held bilateral meetings with Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato Erywan,
Second Minister of Finance Liu Guangming, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications Mohamed Nazri, to discuss priority issues in bilateral relations, including economic and security initiatives, as well as strengthening regional cooperation.
He also engaged with members of Brunei's business community to explore opportunities to enhance commercial and economic partnerships between the two countries.
Before departing Brunei, the Assistant Secretary met with the Minister at the Prime Minister's Office (Security and Law) and Director of Internal Security Department, Sufian, and the Ministry of Defence's Permanent Secretary (Retired) Brigadier General Dato Arirupendi to discuss security cooperation and shared strategic interests in the region.
This visit laid the foundation for the US Embassy’s celebration of the '250th Anniversary of Freedom' (the 250th Anniversary of American Independence).
The Assistant Secretary’s interactions with Brunei during this historic milestone event have deepened and consolidated the bilateral relationship—a partnership that dates back to the Brunei-US Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation signed in 1850, which remains in effect to this day.
This visit highlights the United States' strong and enduring commitment to its Southeast Asian partners.
During the visit, Assistant Secretary Michael George DeSombre held bilateral meetings with Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato Erywan,
Second Minister of Finance Liu Guangming, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications Mohamed Nazri, to discuss priority issues in bilateral relations, including economic and security initiatives, as well as strengthening regional cooperation.
He also engaged with members of Brunei's business community to explore opportunities to enhance commercial and economic partnerships between the two countries.
Before departing Brunei, the Assistant Secretary met with the Minister at the Prime Minister's Office (Security and Law) and Director of Internal Security Department, Sufian, and the Ministry of Defence's Permanent Secretary (Retired) Brigadier General Dato Arirupendi to discuss security cooperation and shared strategic interests in the region.
This visit laid the foundation for the US Embassy’s celebration of the '250th Anniversary of Freedom' (the 250th Anniversary of American Independence).
The Assistant Secretary’s interactions with Brunei during this historic milestone event have deepened and consolidated the bilateral relationship—a partnership that dates back to the Brunei-US Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation signed in 1850, which remains in effect to this day.