ASEAN COMMITS TO SECURITY, SAFETY AND STABILITY

Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) looks at current and future challenges

DELEGATES at the recent Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) have affirmed their commitment to realising the Asean Community Vision 2045 that would enhance the defence sector’s contribution to regional security, safety and stability.

At the conclusion of the ADMM Retreat in Luang Prabang, Laos, the Asean defence ministers also issued a joint statement on the achievements of ADMM in the implementation of the Asean Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025.

The three-day conference (March 4 to 6) attended by 10 Asean member states and Timor-Leste as an observer was chaired by Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Chansamone Chanyalath.

Defence Minister Khaled Nordin (third from left) presenting a memento to Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Chansamone Chanyalath at the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Luang Prabang, Laos, this week.

Matters discussed at the ADMM included regional security, safety and stability with emphasis on the principles and core values of Asean, namely the Asean centrality and unity.

During the ADMM Retreat, Defence Minister Khaled Nordin met his Thai counterpart Sutin Klungsang and both ministers pledged to further enhance defence cooperation between the two countries, especially in strengthening security along the border.

Khaled also proposed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Malaysia and Thailand to further enhance the existing defence cooperation, including between the armed forces.

Through this MoU, various collaborative efforts would be explored, including in the areas of science and technology, training and expertise sharing, as well as the development of the respective defence industry.

At the conference, Khaled, who expressed Malaysia’s support and commitment to Laos as the Chair of Asean for 2024, highlighted the progress of ADMM and post-2025 ADMM strategies, taking into account the achievements of the implementation of the Asean Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025.

He emphasised the importance of ADMM and ADMM-Plus as key platforms to promote defence and security dialogue, and practical cooperation to enhance regional security, safety and stability.

He shared Malaysia’s views on the dynamic regional security challenges and stressed the importance for Asean member states to remain vigilant and responsive to evolving security challenges.

In a bilateral meeting with Gen Chanyalath, both ministers discussed the importance of maintaining Asean’s centrality and unity, among other matters of mutual interest, including continued defence cooperation between the two countries particularly in capacity-building programmes.