UNITED States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is embarking on a 10-day visit (June 5-14) to the Republic of Korea (ROK), Vietnam, Laos, and the Philippines to fulfill its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.

She will also meet with President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Sherman will discuss new ways to further deepen relations between the U.S. and the Philippines with Marcos.

“In Manila, Deputy Secretary Sherman will meet with President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and senior members of the incoming and outgoing administrations to discuss new ways to deepen the bilateral US-Philippines alliance,” the media note said.

Sherman will also participate in a business roundtable and an event celebrating “World Oceans Day”, traveling to the Republic of Korea (ROK), the Philippines, Vietnam, and Laos from June 5 to 14.

The Deputy Secretary’s travel to the region reflects the United States’ continued commitment to the Indo-Pacific and follows last month’s U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit, President Biden’s visit to the ROK and Japan, the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo, and the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

The Deputy Secretary will first visit Seoul, where she will meet with ROK leaders, including Foreign Minister Park Jin, Unification Minister Kwon Young-se, and First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong.

She will discuss the importance of women’s leadership and economic empowerment with leading women startup entrepreneurs, as well as meet with LGBTQI+ civil society leaders to highlight the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and mark Pride Month.

Also, in Seoul, Deputy Secretary Sherman will meet with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Mori Takeo and have a trilateral meeting with First Vice Foreign Minister Cho and Vice Foreign Minister Mori to discuss how the United States, the ROK, and Japan can continue to work “together” for the benefit of the region and the world to address the critical challenges of the 21st century.

In Vientiane, Sherman will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune and Vice Foreign Minister Bounleua Phandanouvong to discuss how to best support Laos in its sustainable development goals, boosts its prosperity and connectivity with its ASEAN neighbors.

She will announce additional U.S. support for surveying and clearing unexploded ordnance.

The Deputy Secretary will engage with civil society members and alumni of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) to demonstrate the United States’ strong support for Laos civil society and mutual understanding between our countries.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Sherman will meet with municipal Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen and deliver remarks at Fulbright University Vietnam.

Then, in Hanoi, she will meet with Vietnamese officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, and Vice Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc to emphasize the strength of the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership and U.S. support for a strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam.

Sherman will also announce additional support for surveying and clearing unexploded ordnance, demonstrating the continued commitment to addressing the legacies of war.

In addition, the Deputy Secretary will discuss supply chain resiliency with private sector representatives and, together with Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan, launch a USAID project to counter wildlife trafficking in Vietnam.