The conference was chaired by Brigadier General Dato Seri Pahlawan Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’ awiah, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defense of Brunei.

In his opening remarks, the Brunei general thanked ARF members and the ASEAN Secretariat for their attendance despite differences in time zones, emphasizing that this showed their support for Brunei as the ASEAN Chair 2021.

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Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien attends the conference.

He took this chance to send deep condolences to Indonesia over the recent submarine sinking and to all ARF member states over the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters.

In the context that the region has been facing numerous security challenges, the Brunei general said that countries should resiliently cope with challenges and bolster defense cooperation to ensure that the region is ready to respond to future challenges in line with this year’s ASEAN Chair’s theme “We care, we prepare, we prosper.”

He thanked ASEAN member states and the group’s partners for their ceaseless support and joint efforts to develop regional defense relations amid COVID-19. He also emphasized the importance of further defense coordination among regional countries with ASEAN playing the central role, especially at a time when security challenges have become more complicated.

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The 18th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Security Policy Conference (ASPC-18) is held via video conference.

According to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defense of Brunei, ASPC is an important channel for parties to share their viewpoints on defense-security issues and boost cooperation. He hoped that the ASPC-18 will reap positive results, contributing to strengthening regional trust.

During the conference, delegates discussed regional and global issues of common concern, current and future security challenges, including influences of emerging technologies on defense-security. They also discussed approaches to build trust and boost cooperation for peace and stability in sub-regions and in the Asia-Pacific region.

Vietnam’s participation in the ASPC-18 aimed to confirm the country’s role as an active, proactive, and responsible member in enhancing defense cooperation between ASEAN and partners within the ARF framework. Vietnam is looking to build on its achievements from its ASEAN Chair Year 2020, and express its support for Brunei during its ASEAN Chair Year 2021.

Addressing the event, General Chien discussed the regional and global security situation, including intertwined traditional and non-traditional security challenges such as maritime security, terrorism, and cyber security.

He underlined the importance of peace and stability in post-pandemic recovery, and the upholding of the role of defense-military cooperation within ASEAN and between ASEAN and its partners in order to build trust and promote collaboration among ASEAN member states. He also voiced his support for Brunei’s proposal on sharing information on defense-security cooperation at the ARF Defense Officials’ Dialogue (ARF DOD) on the basis of continuing Vietnam’s initiatives during 2020.

The ASPC has been a high-level annual forum in the defense cooperation channel of the ARF, drawing the participation of deputy defense ministers or their equivalent and other defense officials from 27 ARF member states since 2004. The forum aims to encourage the participation and cooperation of ARF defense officials in building trust concerning ARF defense issues. It also  aims to open more dialogue and exchange channels among defense officials, diplomats, and military strategists while enhancing mutual understanding among members and heightening the position of the ARF.

Translated by Mai Huong