Vietnam attends ASEAN Defense Senior Officials' Meeting (ADSOM) in Malaysia

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien led the Ministry of National Defense delegation to attend the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials' Meeting (ADSOM) in Malaysia.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and delegates attending the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials' Meeting (ADSOM) take a souvenir photo. (Source: Ministry of Defense )

On September 24, in Johor (Malaysia), the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials' Meeting (ADSOM) took place under the chairmanship of Malaysia, with the participation of 10 ASEAN member countries, the ASEAN Secretariat and Timor-Leste. The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense delegation was led by Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission, and Deputy Minister of National Defense.

In his opening speech, Secretary General of the Malaysian Ministry of Defence, Head of the host country delegation Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali highly appreciated the support of member countries for Malaysia during its ASEAN Chairmanship year 2025.

He said the theme of this year’s ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting is “ASEAN United for Security and Prosperity”, reflecting the belief that security is the foundation of economic growth, stability and the well-being of its people. According to him, a strong and united ASEAN will be better positioned to navigate the changing geopolitical landscape, ensuring the region remains peaceful , resilient and prosperous.

The heads of delegations also agreed that, in the context of increasingly complex security challenges that extend beyond national borders, intra-bloc solidarity and strong cooperation among ASEAN members are more important than ever.

Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence of Malaysia, Head of the host country delegation Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali spoke at the Conference. (Source: Ministry of Defence)

On behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien expressed his belief that the Malaysian Ministry of Defense will successfully assume the role of Chair of ADMM and ADMM+, thereby continuing to strengthen ASEAN's solidarity and collective strength in responding to security challenges. He affirmed that Vietnam will provide the highest level of support for Malaysia to fulfill its responsibility as Chair of ASEAN 2025, contributing to building a peaceful, stable and self-reliant region.

Many important issues are considered

At the Conference, delegates heard reports on the results of the ASEAN Senior Defense Officials' Working Group (ADSOM WG); updates on the implementation of the ADMM Work Plan 2023 - 2026; results of the 21st Annual Meeting of the Network of ASEAN Defense and Security Institutes (NADI); as well as the results of the 22nd ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces Meeting (ACDFM-22).

The heads of delegations also discussed and gave their opinions on a number of new initiatives expected to be submitted to the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM); reviewed the draft ADMM Joint Statement and the ADMM+ Thematic Joint Statement; and discussed cooperation with partner countries, including the proposal for an informal ASEAN+1 meeting, ASEAN+1 maritime exercises, and an ASEAN-Korea defense industry cooperation workshop.

The delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense was led by Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien. (Source: Ministry of National Defense)

Regarding the ASEAN+1 content, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien highly appreciated the flexible handling plan of the Malaysian Chairman. He emphasized that in the context of the volatile world and regional situation, responding to the meeting requests of all four important partners is a proactive and necessary step, demonstrating the open, inclusive nature and central role of ASEAN.

According to him, this approach will help ASEAN gain stronger support and commitment from its partners, while affirming that ADMM+ is a practical, effective and highly adaptable multilateral defense cooperation mechanism. Vietnam believes that the plan proposed by Malaysia will contribute to the overall success of this year's ADMM+ Conference.

In addition, the Conference agreed on preparations for the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials' Meeting Plus (ADSOM+), the 19th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-19) and the 12th ADMM+, scheduled to take place in the coming time.

Vietnam supports Timor-Leste's entry into ASEAN

An important issue discussed at the conference was Timor-Leste’s preparation to become an official member of ASEAN at the ASEAN Summit in October. Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien expressed his delight at this historic event, affirming Vietnam’s consistent stance and strong support for Timor-Leste’s admission.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien speaks at the Conference. (Source: Ministry of National Defense)

He stressed that this is not only the legitimate aspiration of the Timor-Leste people but also the common desire of ASEAN for an inclusive, unified community, in the spirit of “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”. Vietnam believes that Timor-Leste’s participation will bring new vitality, making positive contributions to regional peace, security and stability, as well as to the common prosperous development of ASEAN.

The discussion and consensus reached on many key areas and issues demonstrated the spirit of solidarity and unity of member countries, while affirming the determination to realize cooperation goals within the framework of ADMM and ADMM+.

Bilateral activities on the sidelines of the conference

On the sidelines of the Conference, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien had important bilateral meetings, including a meeting with Malaysian Defense Secretary Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali and an exchange with Singapore Defense Ministry Permanent Secretary Chan Heng Kee.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien at a meeting with Malaysian Defense Secretary Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali. (Source: Ministry of Defense)

At the meeting with the Secretary General of Malaysian Defense, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien congratulated the success of the ADSOM Conference and expressed his belief that Malaysia will continue to successfully host the ADSOM+ Conference and related activities, contributing to strengthening ASEAN solidarity.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense always accompanies and supports Malaysia in its ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2025, and acknowledged the effective cooperation results between the Ministry of National Defense and the two countries' armies in recent times. The two sides have maintained delegation exchanges at all levels, cooperated in training, organized dialogue and consultation mechanisms, and coordinated and supported each other at multilateral forums.

Vietnam supports Malaysia's initiatives within the ADMM framework, especially new initiatives in 2025, as well as Malaysia and India's role as co-chairs of the ADMM+ Experts' Group on Counter-Terrorism for the 2024-2027 period. Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien suggested that the two sides soon organize the first Vietnam-Malaysia Defense Policy Dialogue, and at the same time study expanding cooperation in potential areas such as defense industry, logistics, military medicine, disaster relief, as well as support for fishing vessels and fishermen in distress at sea.

In response, Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali highly appreciated Vietnam's support, affirming that Malaysia will make every effort to fulfill its role as ASEAN Chair 2025, and at the same time wishes to strengthen closer cooperation with Vietnam, including defense industry cooperation.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien talks with Permanent Secretary of the Singapore Ministry of Defense Chan Heng Kee. (Source: Ministry of Defense)

During the meeting with Singapore's Permanent Secretary of Defence Chan Heng Kee, both sides expressed satisfaction with the results of bilateral defence cooperation and agreed to continue promoting cooperation in the coming time. Priority areas include increasing delegation exchanges, maintaining the effectiveness of the Defence Policy Dialogue mechanism, training cooperation, military services, cyber security, military medicine, search and rescue and defence research.

The two heads of delegations also discussed preparations for the 16th Vietnam-Singapore Defense Policy Dialogue, scheduled to be held in Da Nang in the near future.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-du-hoi-nghi-quan-chuc-quoc-phong-cap-cao-asean-adsom-tai-malaysia-328768.html