12th ADMM+: ASEAN is a Zone of Peace, not a 'stage' of strategic competition

On November 1, the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+ 12) took place in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).

Scene of the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+). (Source: People's Army)

The 12th ADMM+ conference was attended by leaders of the Ministry of Defense of ASEAN countries and 8 partner countries including China, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States. General Phan Van Giang - Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam, Head of the high-ranking delegation of the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam attended the conference.

This 12th meeting is of special significance as it commemorates the 15th anniversary of the ADMM+, and is held under the theme “ASEAN Unity for Security and Prosperity”. In his opening remarks, the host country’s Defence Minister, Mohamed Khaled Nordin, affirmed that after 15 years, the ADMM+ remains a testament to the fact that dialogue works, trust can be built, and unity remains ASEAN’s greatest defense. He also stressed that the ADMM+ is one of the strongest symbols of what ASEAN and its partners can achieve when working together in solidarity.

The meeting reaffirmed that the region must remain a Zone of Peace , Freedom and Neutrality, and not a “stage” for strategic competition. The regional security regime must remain ASEAN-led, inclusive, and rooted in dialogue, consensus, and respect for international law.

The conference also sent a clear message to partners: continue to engage with ASEAN through the bloc’s values ​​and principles, respect established norms, uphold commitments, and uphold the enduring spirit of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC). The Conference Chairman stressed that the most important thing to be maintained is international law. Every country, big or small, must resolutely oppose violations of international law and humanitarian law.

The Ministers noted that the world is facing challenges that transcend national borders, from cyber attacks by non-state actors that have the potential to disrupt societies and destabilize governments, to climate change, food insecurity and pandemics. Therefore, solidarity and cooperation through the ADMM-Plus are now more important than ever to respond, adapt and protect regional security and prosperity.

The Malaysian Defence Minister said the ADMM+ must continue to be a defence cooperation mechanism and a true force for peace, a “beacon” of stability and trust in the region. He reaffirmed the enduring mission of keeping ASEAN strong, the region at peace and the ADMM+ as a pillar of stability in an often divided world.

General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense, led a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense to attend the 12th ADMM+. (Source: People's Army)

In his speech titled “Reviewing the 15-year journey of ADMM+ and future cooperation orientation”, General Phan Van Giang called on countries to promote open dialogue, respect international law, independence, sovereignty and legitimate interests of each other. The General emphasized the need to strengthen solidarity within ASEAN as well as between ASEAN and its partners; and promote ASEAN’s central role. A united, self-reliant and proactive ASEAN is the core for the success of ADMM+.

Minister Phan Van Giang hopes that partner countries will continue to support ASEAN's central role, work with ASEAN to shape a common agenda, harmonize interests, and actively contribute to maintaining a common security environment. Based on trust and solidarity, enhance substantive defense cooperation, focusing on priority areas and emerging challenges. It is necessary to continue to effectively promote existing expert groups, and at the same time research cooperation in new areas of cybersecurity, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence (AI) governance in the military and defense sectors, ensuring that these technologies are used responsibly.

In that context, ADMM+ needs to make greater efforts and unite to respond more effectively to existing issues and emerging challenges; continue to strengthen strategic trust, which is the foundation for all cooperation activities. Vietnam persistently advocates resolving all disputes and disagreements by peaceful means, on the basis of international law.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Vietnam emphasized the need to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), creating a favorable environment for negotiations on a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

Minister Phan Van Giang affirmed that it is necessary to combine the improvement of capacity to respond to common security challenges with strengthening cooperation in education and training, and developing high-quality human resources. This is a key factor to ensure self-reliance and sustainability of cooperation. General Phan Van Giang hopes that partner countries, with their strengths, will actively share experiences and support ASEAN in improving common capacity, while at the same time, promoting the spirit of collective responsibility for peace and common prosperity.

The current security challenges are transnational in nature, and no single country can solve them alone. This requires all to share information, experience and resources to respond effectively together. General Phan Van Giang affirmed that Vietnam is committed to continuing to be a proactive, active and responsible member, together with ASEAN countries and partner countries, contributing to a region of peace, stability and development; expressing his belief that, with goodwill and joint efforts, ADMM+ will continue to develop and truly be a model of successful cooperation.

The conference adopted a Joint Statement on the 15th Anniversary of the ADMM+. On the same day, a solemn handover ceremony of the ADMM and ADMM+ Chairmanship was held in Kuala Lumpur. Accordingly, the Philippine Department of National Defense will be the Chairman of the ADMM and ADMM+ in 2026.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/admm-lan-thu-12-asean-la-vung-hoa-binh-khong-phai-la-san-khau-cua-canh-tranh-chien-luoc-333049.html