ACDFM-21 Conference: “ASEAN: Together for Peace, Security and Resilience”

Heads of delegations from ASEAN countries attending the Conference. (Photo: Hai Tien)

Senior Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone, member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Deputy Minister of National Defense, Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People's Army chaired the conference.

A high-ranking military delegation of the Vietnam People's Army led by Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, member of the Party Central Committee, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and Deputy Minister of National Defense attended the conference.

Participation in ACDFM-21 aims to continue affirming Vietnam's positivity and proactiveness as a responsible member of ASEAN in general and ASEAN military-defense cooperation in particular, contributing significantly to promoting substantive and effective military-defense cooperation among ASEAN countries.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Senior Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone happily welcomed the ASEAN Defense Forces Commanders attending ACDFM-21; affirming that cooperation between the armies of ASEAN member countries plays a very important role, a condition for building a peaceful , prosperous and secure ASEAN region.

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Conference scene. (Photo: Hai Tien)

Senior Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone asked ASEAN member countries to commit to contributing to peace, prosperity and security in the region, continue to build strategic trust in the region through dialogue and cooperation; expressed his belief that ACDFM-21 will create positive things, contributing to strengthening cooperation between ASEAN militaries.

After approving the agenda, the ACDFM-21 Conference listened to reports on the results of the 21st ASEAN Military Intelligence Chiefs Meeting (AMIM-21) and the 14th ASEAN Military Operations Chiefs Meeting (AMOM-14).

At ACDFM-21, the ASEAN Defense Forces Commanders expressed their support for the 2024 theme chosen by Laos as “ASEAN: Together for Peace, Security and Resilience”, a theme that reflects the common desire of all ASEAN countries, which is to reaffirm the long-standing solidarity and unity, develop together towards building the ASEAN Community, and join hands to effectively respond to existing and potential challenges that the region is facing.

After discussing the regional and global security situation, especially traditional and non-traditional security challenges that directly affect the ASEAN region, the conference assessed the results of cooperation between ASEAN militaries and proposed directions to promote substantive and effective cooperation in the coming time.

Speaking at the conference, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong assessed that after 21 times of organization, the ACDFM-21 Conference has demonstrated its role as a leading important forum, marking the solidarity and continuous development in cooperation between the armies of ASEAN member countries.

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High-ranking military delegation of the Vietnam People's Army attended the Conference. (Photo: Hai Tien)

The Head of the Vietnamese delegation expressed his belief that the ACDFM-21 Conference will be a great success, providing directions to continue effectively implementing military cooperation through existing mechanisms and initiatives; proposing new initiatives to maintain and further promote solidarity, consensus, and cooperation among ASEAN militaries, contributing to strengthening peace, security and regional self-reliance; affirming that Vietnam always supports Laos to fulfill its responsibility as ASEAN Chair in 2024.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong emphasized that through enhancing political trust, promoting solidarity and substantive cooperation among countries and military forces in the region, the ASEAN Community can effectively and thoroughly resolve traditional and non-traditional transnational security challenges. Along with that, the mechanisms and forums established by ASEAN and playing a leading role, cooperation mechanisms, international and regional multilateral forums are extremely important forums, contributing to enhancing trust, promoting mutual understanding, working towards cooperation, resolving conflicts and disagreements through peaceful means.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong hopes that relevant parties will refrain from carrying out activities that could impact peace and stability in the region, erode trust between countries, and hinder regional cooperation efforts.

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong affirmed that, consistently, Vietnam has always adhered to the principle of resolving disputes and disagreements by peaceful means, on the basis of respecting the independence, sovereignty and legitimate interests of countries, and complying with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam supports the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the early conclusion of negotiations and signing of a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.

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Heads of delegations sign the ACDFM-21 Joint Statement. (Photo: Hai Tien)

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong continued to affirm: As a responsible member of the international community and the ASEAN community, the Vietnam People's Army has been and will continue to responsibly participate in cooperation activities between the armies of ASEAN countries. At the end of 2024, Vietnam will organize the second International Defense Exhibition and celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army, the ASEAN Military Music Exchange, so the Head of the Vietnamese delegation hopes to receive the support and active participation of ASEAN member countries in these important events.

At the conference, the ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces approved the 2-year Action Plan (2024-2026); adopted and signed the ACDFM-21 Joint Statement. At the end of the conference, a handover ceremony of the ACDFM Chairmanship in 2025 took place to Malaysia.