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General Phan Van Giang talks with defense leaders attending the meeting. |
The meeting was co-chaired by Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro and his U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth. A high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense, led by General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, attended the meeting.
Speaking at the event, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth affirmed the U.S. support for ASEAN centrality, stressing that consensus on basic principles provides a foundation for promoting substantive cooperation for mutual benefit. The U.S. is ready to work with ASEAN to enhance maritime domain awareness, improve interoperability, conduct joint training and build trust to prevent conflicts.
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General Phan Van Giang at the ASEAN - U.S. Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting |
Looking toward the 50th anniversary of ASEAN - U.S. relations in 2027, Secretary Pete Hegseth proposed developing a practical defense cooperation framework to guide future relations. He affirmed that the U.S. is ready to initiate this work together with Singaporean Minister for Defense Chan Chun Sing, as Singapore assumes the ADMM+ Chairmanship in 2027. He also stressed that the U.S. takes pride in being a Pacific nation and is determined to work with ASEAN to maintain peace, prosperity and sovereignty for all member states on the basis of mutual respect.
Speaking at the meeting, General Phan Van Giang affirmed that ASEAN - U.S. relations have developed substantively and comprehensively over the past half-century. The elevation of the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022 and the adoption of the ASEAN - U.S. Leaders’ Vision Statement in October 2025 demonstrated a strong commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. ASEAN highly appreciates the U.S.’s consistent support for ASEAN centrality and its active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms, particularly the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).
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Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro speaks at the meeting. |
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U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks at the meeting. |
Against the backdrop of intertwined security challenges, General Phan Van Giang emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, security and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea (also known as South China Sea). He reiterated Viet Nam’s consistent position that disputes should be resolved by peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He called on all parties to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and work toward an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
The Vietnamese Defense Minister noted that ASEAN - U.S. defense cooperation has achieved important results, including the maintenance of informal meetings and the U.S.’s active participation in all seven ADMM+ Experts’ Working Groups, as well as capacity-building initiatives for ASEAN member states.
To further deepen cooperation, General Phan Van Giang proposed three orientations.
First, the two sides should maintain strategic contacts and dialogue at all levels to enhance mutual understanding and build trust.
Second, they should improve the effectiveness of practical cooperation activities, including the ASEAN - U.S. Maritime Exercise and youth leadership programs, while expecting continued U.S. support for ADMM+ Experts’ Working Groups.
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An overview of the ASEAN - U.S. Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting |
Third, the two sides should promote cooperation in addressing non-traditional security challenges and emerging technologies, with a focus on maritime security, climate change, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incident response.
Looking toward the 50th anniversary of ASEAN - U.S. relations and the fifth anniversary of the ASEAN - U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2027, General Phan Van Giang expressed his confidence that ASEAN - U.S. defense cooperation will continue to develop, making practical contributions to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
Translated by Minh Anh