The meeting was chaired by General Tan Sri Hj Mohd Nizam bin Hj Jaffar, Chief of the Malaysian Defense Forces, and attended by senior military delegations from ASEAN member states. General Nguyen Tan Cuong led the Vietnamese delegation to the event and delivered a keynote speech.
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General Nguyen Tan Cuong delivering remarks at the conference |
In his opening remarks, General Tan Sri Hj Mohd Nizam bin Hj Jaffar welcomed the ASEAN defense chiefs, stressing that cooperation among ASEAN armed forces is essential to build a peaceful, prosperous, and secure region.
Delegates agreed on the need to further strengthen existing defense and military cooperation mechanisms through practical initiatives, deeper strategic dialogues, expanded professional exchanges, and capacity building. The meeting emphasized efforts to bolster cybersecurity resilience and advance sustainable peace mechanisms to prevent conflicts and tensions.
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The Vietnamese military delegation attending the meeting |
The Joint Statement of ACDFM-22 reaffirmed the importance of exercising restraint in activities that could complicate or heighten tensions, affecting peace and stability. It underscored the pursuit of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including the UNCLOS 1982, while fostering mutual trust through confidence-building measures. Delegates agreed that ACDFM should continue to serve as ASEAN’s highest military leadership mechanism, fostering genuine cooperation among regional armed forces.
ASEAN defense leaders expressed their aspiration to build a resilient, secure, and stable community through a comprehensive and cooperative approach, in line with the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. They agreed to contribute more pro-actively to regional security and humanitarian relief across multiple fields, including disaster response, maritime security, military medicine, counter-terrorism, and peacekeeping.
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ACDFM-23 chairmanship handed over to the Republic of the Philippines |
The conference adopted recommendations from the 22nd ASEAN Military Intelligence Meeting, the 15th ASEAN Military Operations Meeting, and the 2nd ASEAN Military/Defense Intelligence Community Meeting for the 2025–2027 period. It also approved the two-year activity plan of ASEAN armed forces, reflecting mutual trust and shared perspectives, while supporting initiatives to promote defense diplomacy, peaceful dispute resolution, and strict compliance with international law.
Speaking at the meeting, General Nguyen Tan Cuong stressed that ASEAN can only overcome common challenges through cooperation grounded in strategic trust, sincerity, and collective action. He emphasized that ASEAN’s practical and effective cooperation activities, especially in defense and security, play a vital role in building trust and maintaining regional peace and stability.
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Representatives of delegations posing for a commemorative photo |
The General commended Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair in 2025, for its efforts to foster an environment conducive to the peaceful resolution of differences in the spirit of friendship and solidarity. He underlined that ASEAN must strengthen its centrality and internal unity through concrete actions, while noting that ASEAN-led cooperation mechanisms are vital in building trust and strengthening mutual understanding and effective dialogue on security issues.
On the East Sea (aka South China Sea), General Nguyen Tan Cuong reaffirmed that Vietnam remains consistent in its stance of resolving disputes by peaceful means, with respect for independence, sovereignty, and the legitimate interests of all nations, in line with international law, especially the UNCLOS 1982. He reiterated Vietnam’s support for the full implementation of the Declaration for the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Reaffirming Vietnam’s position, General Nguyen Tan Cuong stated that Vietnam is an active and responsible member of both ASEAN and the international community, and the VPA is committed to making constructive contributions to building a united and sustainable ASEAN. To further deepen defense cooperation, he proposed consolidating ASEAN unity and centrality; enhancing the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms, especially in addressing non-traditional security challenges; expanding strategic information-sharing among ASEAN armed forces; and strengthening cooperation in capacity-building, particularly cybersecurity. He also called for flexible defense exchanges adapted to each country’s conditions.
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General Tan Sri Hj Mohd Nizam bin Hj Jaffar, Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces, delivering the closing remarks |
On this occasion, General Nguyen Tan Cuong expressed appreciation to ASEAN defense ministries and armed forces for their support and participation in defense activities hosted by Vietnam in 2024. He voiced confidence that, with a tradition of solidarity and intra-bloc cooperation, ASEAN will overcome differences, remain resilient in the face of challenges, and continue to affirm its strategic role in the region and globally.
At ACDFM-22, ASEAN defense chiefs expressed strong support for Malaysia’s 2025 theme, “ASEAN: United for Security and Prosperity.” Delegates welcomed the decision of the 46th ASEAN Summit to admit Timor-Leste as the 11th ASEAN member, to be formally announced at the 47th Summit. This decision reflects ASEAN’s inclusiveness and solidarity, reaffirming its principle of being an open and adaptable community. The conference also commended Laos for its dedicated chairmanship in 2024 and welcomed Malaysia’s exemplary and visionary leadership for 2025.
The meeting concluded with the handover of the chairmanship of ACDFM-23, AMIM-23, and AMOM-16 to the Philippines in 2026.
Reported by Ngoc Han (from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Translated by Tran Hoai