Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis will embark on Saturday, Oct. 21, to re-affirm the enduring U.S. commitment to the Asia-Pacific.

Secretary Mattis will begin his engagements during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM+) in the Philippines from Oct. 23-25. He will meet with many allies and partners from the region to discuss security challenges and shared interests.

On Thursday, Oct. 26, Secretary Mattis will lead the U.S. Presidential Delegation in Bangkok, Thailand to attend the Royal Cremation Rites of His Majesty the late King Bhumobol Adulyadej. United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand Glyn Davies will also be a member of that delegation.

The secretary concludes his trip with a visit to South Korea to co-chair the 49th annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) with his Republic of Korea counterpart Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo.