ASEAN defense ministers adopt 5 initiatives for region’s security

MANILA — Defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations reached a consensus to adopt five initiatives in order to secure the region.

In a press briefing today, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said that these included the following:

• Promoting exchanges among younger and upcoming defense leaders and military leaders
• Strengthening individual and collective resilience against chemical biological and radiological threats
• Enhancing the synergy between the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Defense Dialogues.

The countries also agreed to create a comprehensive guide for their practices and protocols as well as host the Maritime Security Resilience Amidst Emerging Technologies Conference in 2027 along with India.

Aside from these initiatives, they signed three documents: A joint statement commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, the adoption of the Manila joint declaration on the 20th anniversary of the ADMM and the joint statement of ADMM-Plus on Youth, Peace and Security.

“These documents outline our desired way forward, reaffirming our collective commitment to upholding the principles that we share,” said Teodoro.

The Philippines was also the chair of the ASEAN+1 Defense Ministers’ Informal Meetings with the United States and Japan.

“The meetings were open, candid, frank and were very productive with ASEAN members requesting both Japan and United States for a greater and more robust engagement in the ASEAN region,” added Teodoro.

On the sidelines, the Philippines held bilateral meetings with Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, the USA, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Vietnam, and India.

A ministerial meeting was also held with Australia, Japan and the United States that “affirmed the collective desire” and to “enhance bilateral and four-way cooperation towards a safer and more prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

The Philippines also formally handed over the ADMM chairmanship to Singapore for 2027.

Apart from the official seal, all communications were also received by Singapore Minister of Defense Chan Chun Sing.

“We will take ASEAN and the ASEAN Plus framework forward. A framework that is forward looking, that maintains our relevance to the challenges of the times,” said Chan. 

He also added that ASEAN will rise to these challenges “hopefully ahead of time” as a resilient community from climate change, cybersecurity, among others.

“Next year, we aim to go far,” added Chan.