Singapore’s Defence Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen emphasized the need for continued multilateral cooperation for regional security at the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Retreat in Laos.
Singapore’s Defence Minister, Dr. Ng Eng Hen, participated in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Retreat held in Luang Prabang, Laos, today. The meeting served as a platform for ASEAN defence leaders to deliberate on the ADMM’s future strategy beyond 2025 amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics. Dr. Ng, in his address, lauded the ADMM’s accomplishments and proposed several areas of cooperation to maintain the ADMM and ADMM-Plus’s relevance, openness, and inclusivity. This year marked a significant milestone with Timor-Leste’s inaugural attendance as an observer.
Furthermore, the ASEAN Defence Ministers issued a Joint Statement acknowledging the ADMM’s pivotal role over the past decade towards the ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC) Blueprint 2025. The statement highlighted the ADMM’s efforts in fostering strategic dialogue and cooperation across various sectors, including humanitarian aid, maritime security, and counter-terrorism. It affirmed the commitment to deepen security collaborations to achieve the APSC Blueprint 2025 goals and shape the forthcoming APSC Strategic Plan within the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 framework.
Dr. Ng, reflecting on the retreat’s outcomes, underscored the significance of ADMM and ADMM-Plus as essential frameworks for ASEAN and its partners to navigate regional security challenges through dialogue and joint initiatives. He expressed satisfaction with how these forums have established themselves as central to the ASEAN-led regional security landscape.
On the retreat’s sidelines, Dr. Ng met with Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Chansamone Chanyalath, to express gratitude for Laos’ efforts in hosting the retreat and fostering discussions on strategic issues crucial for future ADMM and ADMM-Plus visions.
The ADMM remains a cornerstone of the regional security structure, contributing to peace and stability by enhancing mutual trust and collaborative efforts among its member states.
Source – MINDEF
