ASEAN Defense Ministers Reaffirm Commitment to Enhancing Cooperation for Peace and Stability in Southeast Asia

Defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) emphasized the importance of strengthening regional defense cooperation to maintain security and stability in Southeast Asia and to develop military partnerships to address common security challenges during their 13th meeting. The meeting was held in Cebu, Philippines, chaired by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, and attended by defense ministers and representatives from all 11 ASEAN member states, as well as eight dialogue partners: the United States, China, Russia, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

In his opening address, Teodoro called for consolidating defense cooperation based on respect for international law, state sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, peaceful settlement of disputes, and refraining from the threat or use of force. He outlined three priorities for defense cooperation: adherence to international law, continued development of joint military initiatives, and enhanced response to emerging security and economic challenges. He stressed the need to expand cooperation in maritime security, disaster response, and protection of critical undersea infrastructure.

Teodoro also highlighted the importance of military exercises and expertise-sharing programs among young defense officials to build confidence and enhance coordination among participating countries. He called for strengthened cooperation in food and energy security to address disruptions in global supply chains caused by international conflicts.

For his part, Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamad Khalid Nordin urged the acceleration of completing an effective and substantive code of conduct in the South China Sea to prevent escalating tensions and maintain regional security and stability amid ongoing maritime disputes and disagreements over contested areas. Nordin affirmed that “no country will benefit from a conflict in the South China Sea,” calling on all parties to exercise restraint, avoid actions that could exacerbate tensions, and settle differences peacefully in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He emphasized the importance of preserving ASEAN unity and its pivotal role in managing security challenges, asserting that dialogue and cooperation, rather than exclusion and confrontation, offer the best path to lasting peace.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed his country’s commitment to enhancing regional security and combating terrorism, calling for expanded defense cooperation, expertise sharing, and joint capacity building to address transboundary security threats. Singh reiterated India’s support for ASEAN’s central role and its commitment to strengthening cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, stressing the importance of building mutual trust and developing defense partnerships to tackle common challenges.