Hanoi (VNA) - A Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Minister of National Defence S🤡en.Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, attended the 18th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Security Policy Conference (ASPC-18) via𓄧 videoconferenceon May 27.

Vietnam’sattendance at the conference aimed to continue affirming its role as an active, proactive, andresponsible member in bolstering defence cooperation between ASEAN and partnerswithin the ARF framework, build on its achievements during its ASEAN Chair Year2020, and express support for Brunei during its ASEAN Chair Year 2021. Addressingthe event, Chien spoke of the global and regional security situation, includingintertwined traditional and non-traditional security challenges such asmaritime security, terrorism, and cyber security. Affirmingthe importance of peace and stability in post-pandemic recovery and theupholding of the role of defence-military cooperation within ASEAN as well asbetween ASEAN and partners, Chien expressed his support for Brunei’s proposalregarding the sharing of information on defence-security collaboration at theARF Defence Officials’ Dialogue (ARF DOD) on the basis of continuing Vietnam’sinitiatives during 2020. Heexpressed his belief that with the joint efforts of members, the ASPC willcontinue serving as a main driving force in promoting trust building andpreventive diplomacy, contributing to maintaining peace and stability in theregion. Brigadier General DatoSeri Pahlawan Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’ awiah, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence of Brunei, who chaired the conference, said countriesneed to cope with challenges and boost defence coordination to ensure that theregion is ready to respond to future challenges. Hedescribed the ASPC as an important channel for parties to share views ondefence-security issues and to reinforce cooperation. Participantsdiscussed regional and global issues of concern, security challenges now and inthe future, including the impact of emerging technologies on nationaldefence-security, and measures to build trust and cooperation for the sake ofpeace and stability in sub-regions and the Asia-Pacific./.