Singapore’s Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen highlights the importance of rules-based order and collaboration at the ADMM-Plus in Laos, addressing pressing security and climate challenges.
On 21 November 2024, Singapore’s Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, participated in the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Vientiane, Laos. The meeting brought together defence leaders from ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners to discuss international and regional security issues.
In his remarks, Dr Ng underscored the significance of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus in maintaining centrality and relevance through adherence to a rules-based order, ongoing dialogue, and practical cooperation. A key outcome of the meeting was the adoption of the Joint Statement by the ADMM-Plus on Resilience to Climate-Related and Other Natural Disasters, reaffirming the group’s commitment to addressing climate change impacts on defence and military establishments. Singapore will contribute to these efforts by co-chairing the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief with New Zealand from 2024 to 2027, with a Conference in Disaster Relief in the Context of Climate Change planned for 2025.
Ahead of the ADMM-Plus, Dr Ng attended the 18th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the ASEAN-US Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting on 20 November. The latter included discussions with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III on enhancing ASEAN-US defence cooperation, with plans for the 2nd ASEAN-US Maritime Exercise in 2025 to strengthen confidence-building measures.
Dr Ng also met Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence GEN Chansamone Chanyalath to reaffirm the strong bilateral defence relations between Singapore and Laos. Additionally, he held talks with Secretary Austin to discuss international security issues and bilateral defence collaboration.
Permanent Secretary for Defence Mr Chan Heng Kee represented Singapore at the ASEAN-China Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting, where future collaboration areas such as educational exchanges and people-to-people programmes were explored. Mr Chan also participated in ceremonies commemorating the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australian Dialogue Relations and the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Republic of Korea Dialogue Relations.
The 18th ADMM and the 11th ADMM-Plus concluded with Laos handing over the ADMM and ADMM-Plus Chairmanship to Malaysia. These platforms remain vital to fostering trust and cooperation among their 18 member countries, contributing significantly to regional peace and stability.
Source: MINDEF
