The meeting brought together defense leaders from the 11 ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners. General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, led a high-level delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense to the event.
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General Phan Van Giang attends the 13th ADMM-Plus. |
In his opening remarks, Secretary Gilberto Teodoro thanked the ASEAN member countries for their support for the Philippines during its 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship. He emphasized that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes, and rejection of the threat or use of force should serve as guiding principles for countries. He called for continued cooperation within the ADMM-Plus framework and highlighted the Philippines and Japan’s role as co-chairs of the Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security for the 2024-2027 cycle. He also called for stronger international protection for migrant workers and seafarers stranded in conflict zones.
The meeting reviewed the outcomes of the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials’ Meeting-Plus (ADSOM-Plus) and heard a report on the ASEAN situation. Delegates exchanged views on regional and global security issues and adopted the ADMM-Plus Joint Statement on youth, peace and security.
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The Deputy Prime Ministers and Defense Ministers of Viet Nam and Laos with members of the two delegations. |
Addressing the meeting, General Phan Van Giang noted that traditional and non-traditional security challenges are becoming increasingly intertwined, requiring goodwill and joint efforts from the international community. He called for healthy and constructive strategic competition and stressed that countries should avoid alignment that could lead to disagreements and conflicts.
He emphasized that disputes should be resolved by peaceful means in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter, without the threat or use of force. Reaffirming Viet Nam’s consistent foreign policy, General Phan Van Giang called on the parties concerned to comply with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (also known as the South China Sea), and work toward the early signing of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) with a clearer legal framework.
Sixteen years after its establishment, the ADMM-Plus has become an important mechanism for multilateral defense cooperation. To further promote the mechanism, General Phan Van Giang proposed four priorities.
First, countries should promote dialogue, manage differences and build trust based on international law.
Second, ASEAN centrality should be maintained and strengthened, while dialogue partners should continue supporting a united and resilient ASEAN.
Third, ADMM-Plus cooperation should be made more effective, with priority given to areas of shared interest that match the needs and strengths of participating countries. General Phan Van Giang thanked countries for supporting Viet Nam and India as co-chairs of the Experts’ Working Group on Cybersecurity for the 2027-2030 cycle.
Fourth, countries should expand cooperation in addressing emerging challenges, including artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies, through a responsible approach consistent with international law.
On the occasion, General Phan Van Giang introduced the third Viet Nam Defense Expo, scheduled to take place in Ha Noi from December 10 to 13, 2026, under the theme “Peace - Friendship - Cooperation for Mutual Development.” He expressed his hope that defense and military leaders from other countries would attend the expo, contributing to stronger political trust.
On the same day, a formal ceremony was held in Cebu to hand over the chairmanships of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus to Singapore’s Ministry of Defense for 2027.
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General Phan Van Giang meets with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on the sidelines of the meeting. |
On the sidelines of the meeting, General Phan Van Giang held bilateral meetings with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Aleksei Yuryevich Krivoruchko, and U.S. Assistant Secretary of War for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs John Noh, who represented the U.S. at the meeting.
Translated by Minh Anh