ASEAN Defence Ministers discuss security issues with partners

Philippine Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana

In his opening remarks, Philippine Defence Minister Delfin Lorenzana affirmed that ADMM+ is an important framework for involved countries to boost practical cooperation, thus contributing to global peace and security. He expressed his hope that the countries would expand cooperation in a series of security and defence issues, including terrorism and extremism prevention, maritime and cyber security, and disaster rescue.

The ADMM+ took place just one day after the 11th ADMM, focusing on security challenges in the region such as terrorism, drug crime and maritime conflicts.

The ADMM is the highest defense consultative and cooperative mechanism in the ASEAN.

ADMM aims to promote mutual trust and confidence through greater understanding of defense and security challenges, as well as enhancement of transparency and openness among the 10 ASEAN member states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN defense ministers to engage their dialogue partners from Asia and the Pacific, which include the US, Japan, China, Australia, India, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and Russia.