ADMM-19: ASEAN Unity for Security and Prosperity

The 19th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-19) officially opened on October 31 in the capital of Malaysia, under the chairmanship of the host country's Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

A high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense led by General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense, attended ADMM-19, the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+) and related activities from October 30 to November 2.

In his opening remarks, Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin highlighted this year’s theme as “ASEAN Unity for Security and Prosperity,” reflecting the belief that unity is a shield against instability and a lasting promise for regional peace . In particular, ADMM-19 marked a historic milestone with the participation of Timor Leste as the newest member of the ASEAN family.

Minister Khaled Nordin affirmed that ASEAN's core principle has always been to emphasize the bloc's central role, most clearly demonstrated by putting ASEAN's interests first, helping the bloc not to be divided or dominated by other factors.

He called on ADMM to evolve with the times, as today's threats have transcended borders and traditional frameworks.

In addition to traditional challenges, Minister Khaled Nordin warned that the digital sphere is also at risk from invisible but equally dangerous threats such as cyber attacks, disinformation and digital manipulation. Non-state actors are using technology as a weapon to disrupt societies and sabotage critical infrastructure. Therefore, ADMM must move beyond traditional military cooperation to technological foresight, cybersecurity cooperation and joint innovation.

Minister Khaled Nordin also stressed that ASEAN's growing convening power demonstrates that other parties believe in ASEAN's way of working, helping the bloc gain trust and credibility as a neutral and trustworthy host for the regional security agenda.

He expressed hope that through ADMM and ADMM+, defense will not only be a protective shield but also a foundation for lasting peace.

On behalf of the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense, General Phan Van Giang affirmed that Vietnam provides the highest level of support for Malaysia to fulfill its responsibility as ASEAN Chair 2025.

The General expressed his belief that Malaysia will successfully assume the role of ASEAN Chair in 2025, continuing to strengthen the bloc's solidarity and strength to respond flexibly and proactively to security challenges facing the region, for a peaceful, secure and self-reliant region.

The ADMM-19 Conference heard reports on the results of the ASEAN Senior Defense Officials' Meeting (ADSOM); approved eight new initiatives in ADMM; organized seminars and meetings such as ASEAN-Korea, ASEAN+1; organized the ASEAN+1 Maritime Exercise; and agreed on the agenda of the 12th ADMM+ Conference.

The conference adopted the Joint Statement of the ASEAN Defense Ministers on the Implementation of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Strategic Plan of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the ADMM Kuala Lumpur Statement on ASEAN Unity for Security and Prosperity. In particular, the ADMM Kuala Lumpur Statement emphasized the importance of maintaining the leading role of ASEAN, as well as the ADMM and ADMM+ in regional security cooperation.

The statement affirmed the commitment to strengthening cooperation in non-traditional security areas and stressed the importance of maintaining open and transparent cooperation, while calling for full implementation of the Five-Point Consensus set by ASEAN leaders to resolve the Myanmar issue./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/admm-19-doan-ket-asean-vi-an-ninh-va-thinh-vuong-post1074052.vnp