Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn into office in Washington, DC, on Wednesday morning, local time. In his inaugural address, Biden pledged to “engage with the world once again” – a stark contrast to the “America First” rhetoric espoused by his predecessor Donald Trump.

Brunei Darussalam Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof, who is serving as ASEAN’s chair this year, said foreign ministers of the bloc’s member states looked forward to working with Biden’s administration to strengthen their strategic partnership with the US for the region’s peace, security, stability and prosperity.

Erywan made the statement during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat on Thursday. The virtual conference was the bloc’s first major meeting under Brunei’s chairmanship, as the pandemic response and economic recovery remain the most immediate challenges for the region.

“We look forward to the next meeting between ASEAN and the US and between us and our US counterparts,” he said.

Trump’s administration had a notably small presence in ASEAN. The former president briefly attended the ASEAN Summit once – in 2017 in the Philippines. Afterward, he was represented by lower-ranking officials.

He also never appointed a new representative to ASEAN to replace the last ambassador, who left the post in 2017.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi highlighted the importance of ASEAN unity and centrality, as well as the implementation of the bloc’s principles, amid the increasing rivalry between the US and China as the world’s superpowers.

“It’s important for ASEAN to send this message to all partner countries, including to the new US administration, so that all our partners respect these principles,” Retno told journalists after the meeting.

“Indonesia has also emphasized the importance of ASEAN in inviting the new US administration to carry out multilateralism that is inclusive and fair,” she went on to say.

ASEAN leaders have sent their congratulations to Biden, including Singaporean President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Lee assured Biden of the goodwill toward the US in the region thanks to its vital role in regional stability and economic prosperity.

"I look forward to working with you to strengthen America's engagement of Asia and [ASEAN]," Lee said, as quoted by The Straits Times.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the country’s leadership also sent their best wishes for prosperity and happiness to the US and its citizens, as well as for global peace, stability, cooperation and development, local media reported.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo wrote on Twitter that the US and Indonesia should “continue a strategic partnership, not only for the interests of the two countries but for a better world.”

Separately, Retno said the US was becoming one of Indonesia’s most important and strategic partners thanks to a number of shared values, including democracy, pluralism, human rights and the rule of law.

“I am sure that Indonesia and the US can form a stronger and equal partnership based on mutual respect and benefits in the future,” the foreign minister said.

She added that the US' commitment to pandemic-mitigation efforts through multilateral cooperation was highly expected.

Almost immediately after being sworn into office, Biden signed executive orders to reverse a number of Trump’s policies, including his withdrawal of the nation from the World Health Organization.

The Biden administration also intends to join the COVAX alliance, an initiative led by the WHO, and two other groups that seek to secure greater access to COVID-19 vaccines for poor countries, Reuters reported.

As one of the three GAVI COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) cochairs, Retno said Indonesia carried the region’s expectations for the equitable and fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to the 92 participating emerging economies.

“This is not an easy task but we will continue our endeavors. Of course, equality of access to vaccines requires partnerships with developed countries. We need the developed countries to walk the talk,” she said

Indonesia also hoped for US commitment to peace and stability, including in the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Afghanistan peace process and the South China Sea.