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Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem and Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy Ithnain at the event |
Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem, Commander of the Vietnam People’s Navy, attended and spoke at the event. The meeting was also attended by Commanders and heads of delegations of ASEAN navies. ANCM-19 marked the first time Timor-Leste has participated as an observer.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Malaysian Minister of Defense Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin emphasized that maritime challenges are becoming increasingly complex, from traditional power rivalries and territorial disputes to non-traditional threats, such as illegal fishing, cyber intrusions, and disinformation, that no navy, agency, or government can address these challenges alone.
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A view of the opening of ANCM-19 |
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Malaysian Defense Minister and heads of delegations joining ANCM-19 |
The Malaysian defense minister stressed that ANCM-19 is not only symbolic, but also strategic, serving as an opportunity for ASEAN to reaffirm unity, build trust, and strengthen its commitment to maritime security cooperation. He expressed hope that this year’s meeting would be remembered as a turning point, where ASEAN navies worked together to develop joint solutions.
He also underlined the need for ASEAN to remain the anchor of regional maritime order and international law, with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982 as the foundation for cooperation.
Speaking at the plenary session, Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem highlighted the importance of strengthening ASEAN’s central role by building common awareness of maritime security threats, enhancing cooperation, and developing effective response solutions for the shared interests of all nations. He also emphasized the need to foster greater mutual understanding and trust through responsible participation in both bilateral and multilateral activities under the ANCM framework and other mechanisms such as the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM-Plus.
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Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem speaking at the event |
The Vietnamese naval commander called on ASEAN navies to enhance information-sharing capabilities on maritime issues, improve responses to incidents at sea, and update and standardize joint coordination regulations.
He further stressed that ASEAN navies must work together to resolve disputes and differences at sea through peaceful means, based on respect for independence, sovereignty, and legitimate national interests, while strictly adhering to international law, including UNCLOS 1982, implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea (also known as South China Sea), and working toward an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea, consistent with international law.
Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem reaffirmed that the Vietnam People’s Navy remains committed to close cooperation with ASEAN navies in responding to maritime security challenges for a peaceful, stable, responsible regional waters.
ANCM-19 was hosted by the Royal Malaysian Navy in Penang, alongside the ASEAN Naval Fleet Review (August 21) and the 3rd ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX 3), held from August 15 to 22.
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Delegates at the plenary session of ANCM-19 |
The Vietnam People’s Navy sent Frigate 016-Quang Trung and a working delegation led by Senior Captain Nguyen Vinh Nam, Deputy Commander of Naval Region 4, to participate in AMNEX 3.
Reported by Ngoc Hung (Penang, Malaysia)
Translated by Tran Hoai