ASMAM-10 held to boost cooperation and cohesion among ASEAN armies

PANO - The 10th ASEAN Sergeant Major Annual Meeting (ASMAM-10) took place in Hanoi on November 9 under the chaired of Senior Colonel Nguyen Le Phuong, Deputy Director of the Institute for Defense International Relations.

Defense ministry reviews preparations for ACAMM-23, AARM-30 and ASMAM-10

Preparations for ACAMM-23, AARM-30, and ASMAM-10 checked

Addressing the meeting, Senior Colonel Duong Quy Nam, Director of the Institute for Defense International Relations, noted that in the context of complicated, quick and unpredictable developments of the regional and international situations, ASEAN militaries in general and ASEAN armies in particular are the core forces in the efforts of responding to non-traditional security challenges, especially disease prevention and control.

Senior Colonel Duong Quy Nam welcomes delegates.

The Vietnamese senior officer emphasized the maintenance and promotion of defense and military cooperation within ASEAN through forums such as ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces’ Meeting (ACDFM), ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting (ANCM), and ASEAN Air Chiefs’ Conference (AACC). He said that this has helped ASEAN militaries reach common perception, respond to challenges in a prompt and timely manner, and enhancing cohesion and coordination in policy issuance and action, thereby raising their position and prestige in dialogues, cooperation mechanisms and regional shaping structure.

Colonel Nam highlighted the more important role of enlisted soldiers in ASEAN armies’ cooperation. They have directly got engaged in combat and stayed ready to respond to disasters and diseases. “Over the past time, they have been the force which importantly contributes to the pandemic-control efforts,” said Nam.

Sr. Col. Duong Quy Nam affirms the higher role of enlisted soldiers in the cooperation among armies of ASEAN member states.

He underlined that the acceleration of cooperation among enlisted ranks of each military is important and necessary, thus fostering defense-military cooperation within ASEAN in a substantive and effective manner, creating a favorable environment for regional socio-economic recovery.

In his opening remarks, Senior Colonel Nguyen Le Phuong said that themed “ASEAN armies cohesively collaborate peace,” ASMAM-10 is a forum for delegates to exchange professional expertise, boost solidarity and friendship, mutual understanding and trust among ASEAN armies, thus building an ASEAN Community of peace, stability, and prosperity.

Senior Colonel Nguyen Le Phuong addresses the meeting.

An overview of the meeting

During the event, delegates shared experience and discussed the role and contribution of enlisted ranks and non-commissioned officers in response to non-traditional security challenges in the region, particularly COVID-19.

They also proposed specific and suitable measures to boost cooperation and cohesion among ASEAN armies, practically contributing to enhanced role of the force in building a peaceful and stable environment and jointly responding to regional non-traditional security challenges.