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General Phan Van Giang (L) and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro |
Viet Nam’s high-level delegation from the Ministry of National Defense, led by General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, attended the meeting.
In his opening remarks, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro thanked ASEAN member states for their support to the Philippines during its 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship, including the organization of the 20th ADMM under the theme “Navigating our Future, Together.”
He noted that 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), which has provided a foundation for regional peace and prosperity, as well as the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the ADMM mechanism.
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General Phan Van Giang attends ADMM-20. |
“Over the past two decades, this mechanism has provided an important platform for constructive dialogue and substantive cooperation, enabling ASEAN to turn shared aspirations into tangible outcomes for the people of its member states,” the Philippine defense chief affirmed.
Against the backdrop of major global upheavals, he outlined three key messages for the 20th ADMM under the Philippines’ chairmanship. First, ASEAN’s internal stability and intra-bloc solidarity are essential, even vital in upholding unity and cooperation in the midst of a fragmenting world. The bloc, he pointed out, must adhere to ASEAN Centrality and the principles that bind it, such as mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes, and the renunciation of the threat or use of force.
Second, substantive cooperation among defense agencies is essential to strengthening trust and delivering practical benefits to the people. Through the ADMM and the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM+), ASEAN has made significant progress in maritime security, the protection of critical underwater infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges.
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Delegates pose for a group photo. |
As conflicts pose growing challenges to global supply chains, expanding cooperation to ensure food and energy security is becoming increasingly important. This is particularly relevant as ASEAN prepares to cope with a super El Niño phenomenon, which could significantly affect food supplies, water resources, energy, and connectivity within individual countries, with potentially serious consequences.
Third, as chair of the 20th ADMM and the 13th ADMM+, the Philippines hopes the meetings will foster an environment for frank and open exchanges of views in the spirit of ASEAN unity, advancing the shared goal of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Southeast Asia within a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Speaking on behalf of Viet Nam’s delegation, General Phan Van Giang reaffirmed Viet Nam’s strongest support for the Philippines in fulfilling its responsibilities as ASEAN Chair in 2026. He also emphasized the need to strengthen ASEAN unity and collective capabilities to respond flexibly and pro-actively to regional security challenges and build a peaceful, secure, and resilient region.
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The Mactan Expo Center in Cebu is the venue for ADMM-20 and the 13th ADMM+. |
The meeting reviewed the outcomes of the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADSOM). ASEAN delegation heads endorsed several new ADMM initiatives, including a concept paper on the ADMM Young Leaders Exchange Program; a concept paper on strengthening links between the ADMM+ and defense dialogues under the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) - a concept paper for a workshop on maritime security resilience amid emerging technologies; an implementation project for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific from a Defense Perspective (AOIP DP); a proposal to organize an ADMM+ workshop on chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) matters; and guidelines on practices and protocol for the ADMM and ADMM+.
The meeting adopted the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Thematic Joint Declaration commemorating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the TAC, along with a joint declaration marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the ADMM.
The 20th ADMM also discussed preparations for the 13th ADMM+ and other related contents.
Translated by Tran Hoai