General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, underlined the common challenges facing ASEAN, stressing that member states can only overcome them through cooperation based on strategic trust, sincerity, and collective action.
ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces attend the 22nd ASEAN Defence Chiefs’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo: VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) 💙– The 22nd ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces Meeting (ACDFM-22) opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 10, focusing on reinforcing regional solidarity and defence cooperation.
Speaking at the event, General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, underlined the common challenges facing ASEAN, stressing that member states can only overcome them through cooperation based on strategic trust, sincerity, and collective action. He emphasised that practical and effective military and defence cooperation is vital to enhancing strategic trust and maintaining peace and stability in the region. ASEAN, he said, must continue to promote its central role and strengthen unity through concrete actions.
Held under the theme “ASEAN Unity for Security and Prosperity”, the three-day meeting (September 9–12) aims to build ASEAN into a resilient and proactive community capable of addressing common security challenges. Timor-Leste’s participation as an observer marked an important step toward the status as ASEAN’s 11th member.
In his opening remarks, Gen. Tan Sri Hj Mohd Nizam bin Hj Jaffar, Chief of General Staff of the Malaysian Defence Force and Chair of ACDFM-22, welcomed the strong commitment of all member states. The meeting reaffirmed ASEAN defence leaders’ support for the ASEAN Vision 2025 and the shared benefits for all nations, regardless of size or economic capacity, he said.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army. (Photo: VNA)
A highlight of the event was the signing of a Joint Declaration by ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces and senior representatives. The declaration underscored consensus on building a resilient, secure, and stable regional community, while reaffirming the militaries’ commitment to maintaining peace and promoting prosperity across Southeast Asia. It also acknowledged complex security challenges, including maritime security, cybersecurity, terrorism, and climate-related disasters.
One of the declaration’s key points was the commitment to safeguarding peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea. The participants reaffirmed the need to enhance mutual trust and called for the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). They also called for the completion of a Code of Conduct (COC), in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
After the signing of the Joint Declaration, General Mohd Nizam officially handed over the ACDFM chairmanship to General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that will host ACDFM-23 next year./.
Deputy FM Giang, head of Vietnam's ASEAN SOM, proposed measures to strengthen intra-bloc and ASEAN-partner cooperation, particularly in economic integration, connectivity, science and technology, digital transformation, and energy transition.
At the 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) on September 9, Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said global disruptions and new technologies were redefining security, with criminals exploiting digital platforms, cryptocurrencies and AI to expand their operations across borders.
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The 10 initiatives include restoring the ecosystems and the availability of food-producing land, intensification and assistance for farmers, developing community-based food systems, increasing local food diversification, and increasing animal protein consumption, among others.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is tapping into India’s high-spending wedding market through The Celebration with Care Wedding Planners Fam Trip & Trade Meet.
Indonesian Ambassador to the US Dwisuryo Indroyono Soesilo has revealed that the Southeast Asian country’s delegation is proposing palm oil exports as part of efforts to further reduce the US's current 19% reciprocal tariffs.
Heavy seasonal rains, which usually occur from September through March, regularly cause flooding and landslides in Indonesia. This year’s extreme events again highlight how vulnerable many communities are to natural disasters
The 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) on September 10 endorsed the ASEAN Plan of Action on Combating Transnational Crime for 2026–2035, providing a framework to address transnational crime challenges over the next decade.
Funding will come from the 25-billion-THB central stimulus fund for 2026, with flexibility to reallocate resources if needed, according to the Thai Ministry of Finance.
