The Unites States is working closely with countries in Southeast Asia on mechanisms to end human trafficking in the region, said President Barack Obama.
Describing human trafficking as a critical problem, Obama said Washington took up the matter seriously with dedicated agencies back home to solve the problem.
He noted that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal involving 12 countries including Malaysia also touched on the importance of advancing human rights.
The president said this at a press conference here Sunday before leaving Malaysia after attending the 3rd ASEAN-US Summit as well as the 10th East Asia Summit on the sidelines of the 27th ASEAN Summit hosted by Malaysia.
Obama, who was in the city for three days since Friday, said the requirements on human rights underlined in the TPP were to ensure that prospective partners put in place measures to prevent activities linked to human trafficking.
Obama expressed optimism that the 12 negotiating countries would apsprove the pact, which would see new trade deal being worked out among the members, who represent 40 per cent of world economy.
Malaysia and the 11 other countries - Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Singapore, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, the United States and Vietnam successfully concluded negotiations for the TPP, initiated by the United States, on Oct 5, 2015.
For Malaysia, the content of the TPPA and the two impact studies would be tabled in parliament next January.
This will be followed by a debate to decide whether Malaysia should sign the TPPA at end-January 2016. The ratification of the agreement is expected to be realised two years after the signing of the pact.
The US president pointed out that his meetings with the other 17 leaders at the ASEAN-US and East Asia Summit were successful. Obama thanked Malaysia's leadership and hospitality for making these meetings "a successful one".
On his presence in the region, Obama, who had been in Manila for the APEC Summit prior to coming to Malaysia, said the Asia Pacific region was critical for security and prosperity.
"That is why so much of my foreign policy concerns deepening American engagement with this region (and) I am pleased that in this trip, we have made progress across the board," he said.
Obama said he had also invited all ASEAN leaders for a gathering in the United States next year.
Bernama
Sun Nov 22 2015
OBAMA: That is why so much of my foreign policy concerns deepening American engagement with this region (and) I am pleased that in this trip, we have made progress across the board. - BERNAMA pic
Kerajaan teliti kaedah baharu lantikan tetap, pastikan kewangan negara lebih mampan
Kerajaan sedang meneliti kaedah baharu lantikan tetap bagi memastikan pengurusan kewangan negara yang lebih mampan.
PDRM gerak unit skuba forensik, K9 cari telefon, rantai Nur Farah Kartini hari ini
Proses mencari bahan bukti akan dimulakan sekitar jam 9 pagi di kawasan parit berhampiran ladang kelapa sawit berkenaan.
Bangkai pesawat MH17 tanpa sayap imbau kekejaman tragedi menyayat hati
Keadaan serpihan pesawat MH17 Malaysia Airlines (MAS) yang cuba dibina semula tanpa sayap, tayar, ekor dan tempat duduk penumpang cukup menggerunkan sekali gus mengingatkan pada kekejaman yang meragut
VOP akan diselesaikan dalam tempoh sebulan - Ahmad
Pelaksanaan Syarat Perubahan Harga (VOP) susulan penyasaran subsidi diesel dijangka diselesaikan dalam tempoh sebulan lagi, kata Timbalan Menteri Kerja Raya Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
Industri minyak sawit disaran guna semula sisa untuk bahan api penerbangan mampan - Liew
Industri minyak sawit perlu mengkaji penggunaan semula sisa sebagai stok suapan penting untuk bahan api penerbangan mampan (SAF), di luar penggunaan tradisional minyak sawit.
SDG: UTP lahir pelajar berkemahiran, tinggi tanggungjawab sosial
UTP berhasrat mendidik pelajar bukan sahaja untuk mahir dalam aspek teknikal tetapi juga untuk menjadi warganegara yang bertanggungjawab.
MAA semak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan 2024 kepada 765,000 unit
Persatuan Automotif Malaysia (MAA) telah menyemak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan bermotor baharu bagi 2024 kepada 765,000 unit daripada anggaran sebelumnya sebanyak 740,000 unit.
RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan
Apa sahaja pindaan terhadap akta itu perlu berjalan selari dengan persediaan mereka yang bertanggungjawab melaksanakannya.
Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA
SAMENTA menjangkakan rasionalisasi RON95 akan memberi impak yang lebih besar kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) berbanding pelarasan subsidi diesel.
Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030
Malaysia menyasarkan pengeluaran 40 peratus hasil sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 dalam usaha membantu mengimbangi keperluan perikanan negara.
Obama benarkan serangan udara di Iraq
President Barack Obama pada Khamis telah membenarkan serangan udara Amerika Syarikat ke atas Iraq.