Foreign Policy Talks at AidData: Building the Future: U.S. and Japanese Development Partnerships in Southeast Asia
- Foreign Policy Talks
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
On Thursday, 26 March 2026, Noto Suoneto, Founder of Foreign Policy Talks, spoke at an AidData event titled “Building the Future: U.S. and Japanese Development Partnerships in Southeast Asia.” The panel convened leading experts to examine the evolving landscape of development cooperation and international development finance in the region, alongside the launch of a new policy brief analyzing the revealed priorities of the United States, Japan, and China in ASEAN.
Moderated by Alex Wooley, the discussion featured distinguished speakers including Divya Matthew (AidData), Kuniko Ashizawa (George Washington University), and Alvin Camba (Atlantic Council & Lyvi AI). The panel offered diverse perspectives on how major powers are shaping development pathways in Southeast Asia, highlighting both complementarities and competition in financing approaches, sectoral focus, and strategic engagement.
The discussion was grounded in AidData’s forthcoming report, which underscores Southeast Asia’s pivotal role as a hub of global maritime trade and a focal point of geopolitical competition. As the region experiences rapid economic and demographic growth, demand for infrastructure, energy, and raw materials continues to rise. In response, governments are navigating an increasingly complex and competitive development finance landscape, balancing partnerships with the U.S., Japan, and China to advance national priorities while maintaining strategic autonomy.
Drawing on over two decades of data, the brief provides a comparative analysis of their financing portfolios, sectoral focus, and both public and elite perceptions, offering insights to inform more effective and forward-looking development finance strategies.
Further details are available in AidData’s forthcoming report and on their official website. (www.aiddata.org)
