Singapore joined regional and international defence leaders in Kuala Lumpur as the ADMM-Plus reaffirmed its commitment to practical security cooperation and future-focused engagement.
KUALA LUMPUR, 1 November 2025 – Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing attended the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today. The meeting commemorated the 15th anniversary of the ADMM-Plus, underscoring the forum’s role as ASEAN’s premier platform for defence cooperation with eight key partners.
During the meeting, Ministers exchanged views on charting the future direction of the ADMM-Plus amid complex security challenges. In his remarks, Mr Chan emphasised the importance of upholding international norms while developing frameworks suited for emerging domains such as cybersecurity and network infrastructure protection. He called on member states to avoid zero-sum competition and instead pursue cooperative approaches that contribute to collective stability.
The meeting adopted a Joint Statement marking the 15th anniversary of the ADMM-Plus, reaffirming the forum’s commitment to practical cooperation through its Experts’ Working Groups. Singapore reiterated its readiness to partner all ADMM-Plus members to build capacity, strengthen resilience, and bridge strategic differences.
Image by: Singapore Ministry of Defence
On the sidelines, Mr Chan attended the ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting and the ASEAN-US Defence Ministers’ High Tea. As ASEAN-Japan Country Coordinator, he welcomed Japan’s proposals to enhance cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime security, and non-traditional security domains. He also announced an ASEAN-Japan table-top exercise and workshop on chemical, biological, and radiological threats in 2026. During the ASEAN-US engagement, Mr Chan reaffirmed Singapore’s support for continued US engagement in the region and collaboration on capacity-building initiatives.
Mr Chan held bilateral meetings with several counterparts, including ministers from Japan and the United States. The ADMM-Plus concluded with Malaysia handing over the chairmanship to the Philippines, marking the close of a productive year of ASEAN defence cooperation.
Source: Singapore Ministry of Defence
