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| The 17th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting, November 15 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Source: asean.org) |
On November 15, the 17th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-17) took place successfully in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, with the adoption of a Joint Statement for Peace, Prosperity and Security.
The delegation of the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam, led by General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense, proactively made responsible contributions to the overall success of the Conference.
In his opening remarks, Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Chair of ADMM 2023, stressed that peace and security are the foundation for economic development and ensuring social progress. According to him, an unstable and insecure region cannot attract investment, promote trade and ensure civilized social behavior.
Therefore, the Indonesian Defense Minister said that the theme of "Peace, Prosperity and Security" of ADMM-17 is very suitable for the context of the current complex world situation.
After approving the agenda, the meeting heard from ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn an update on recent developments in ASEAN and adopted the Guidelines for the Implementation of Timor Leste's Observer Status in the ADMM, ADMM+ and Related Meetings.
The meeting heard a report on the results of the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials' Meeting (ADSOM) and adopted the ADMM Work Plan for 2023-2026, as well as new documents/initiatives in ADMM such as: Concept Paper on ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific from a Defense Perspective, Concept Paper on Harmonization of ADMM and ADMM+ Initiatives, as well as noted the Discussion Paper on the Use of Military Assets to Maintain Food Security in the Region.
At the conference, the heads of delegations agreed on the following documents: Draft amendments to the Standard Operating Procedures of the “ASEAN - Our Eyes” (AOE) initiative; Current Cycle Review of the ADMM+ Expert Groups; Concept Document on the US-ASEAN Emerging Defense Leaders Program, and discussed a number of other contents.
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| General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense attended the 17th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting. (Photo: BP) |
In particular, the Conference adopted the Jakarta Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Security, which acknowledged traditional and non-traditional security threats and challenges; geopolitical and geostrategic shifts in the region and the impact of competition between major powers that could affect ASEAN's security and prosperity.
The Joint Statement highlighted the importance of adhering to the fundamental principles and purposes set out in the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the Bali Process, as well as adherence to international law and maintaining peace, prosperity and security in the region.
The document also stressed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, safety in the region, freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea; pursuing peaceful dispute settlement measures based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); exercising self-restraint and avoiding activities that may complicate or escalate tensions affecting peace and stability; promptly completing an effective, substantive and consistent Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, while fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).
On that basis, the Joint Statement of the conference welcomed existing confidence-building measures, such as the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea, Military Aircraft Interaction Guidelines, Maritime Interaction Guidelines, ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure and activities under the DOC to promote communication, trust and confidence as well as reduce tensions and the risk of accidents, misunderstandings or miscalculations in the air and at sea.
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