ASEAN Defence Ministers Convene in Vientiane for Strategic Discussions.

Vientiane: The 18th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) took place at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic. This significant gathering was chaired by His Excellency General Chansamone Chanyalath, who serves as both the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of National Defence of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, assuming the role of the Chairman of ADMM for 2024. The delegation from Brunei Darussalam was led by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Defence.

According to Radio Television Brunei, the meeting, themed ‘Together for Peace, Security and Resilience’, witnessed the adoption of several key deliverables. Among these was an Observership Protocol for ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Groups (EWGs) and the approval of a strategic document titled ‘A Future Ready ADMM and ADMM-Plus: Strategy Paper’, collaboratively authored by Brunei
Darussalam and the Republic of Singapore.

One of the meeting’s notable accomplishments was the adoption of the Vientiane Joint Declaration on Together for Peace, Security and Resilience. In addition to the main sessions, the ASEAN-US Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting was held on the side-lines. Furthermore, Brunei Darussalam engaged in a bilateral meeting with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the host of the 18th ADMM. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic is also set to host the 11th ADMM-Plus on November 21, 2024.