; Whereas the United States, ASEAN, and other Dialogue Partners, through the 2015 East Asia Summit, adopted a statement on transnational cyber issues that emphasizes the importance of regional cooperation to improve the security and stability of cyber networks, setting an important precedent for strengthening practical cooperation, risk reduction, and confidence building in cyberspace; Whereas the 2016 East Asia Summit in Vientiane adopted a statement on nonproliferation that reaffirmed the United States, ASEAN, and other Dialogue Partners’ leaders’ support for efforts at the national, regional, and international level to promote nuclear disarmament, nuclear nonproliferation, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and reiterated the importance of nuclear security to combating nuclear terrorism; Whereas North Korea’s provocative missile launches and nuclear tests highlighted the threat posed by its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and contradicts calls by ASEAN leaders at the 2016 East Asia Summit in Vientiane for North Korea to abide by multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions and international obligations; Whereas the ASEAN region has experienced natural disasters including Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines; Whereas conservation and sustainable management of forests throughout ASEAN play an important role in helping to reduce the risks of extreme weather events and other natural disasters, and provide sustainable economic livelihood opportunities for local communities; Whereas the United States will pursue initiatives that are consistent with broader sustainable development goals, including the achievement of food security and poverty alleviation throughout the ASEAN region; Whereas the United States is a committed partner with ASEAN on the protection of human rights, which are not only essential for fostering and maintaining stability, security, and good governance, but protecting the basic rights and fundamental dignities of the people of ASEAN