Kuala lumpur: The 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and the 12th ADMM-Plus, scheduled from October 30 to November 2, are anticipated to implement 20 joint initiatives, marking the highest number ever in the history of the regional defence forum.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Muhammad Ammir Haron, undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) Policy and Strategic Planning Division, stated that the initiatives include 10 concept papers, guidelines, and protocols aimed at enhancing strategic cooperation among member states. The agenda also includes four ASEAN maritime exercises, additional training, and the release of a joint statement and declaration.
Muhammad Ammir highlighted the ASEAN Defence Industry Collaboration Conference initiative, which introduced a new session focusing on regional defence industry development. This meeting also launched the Observership Programme, with Turkiye and Germany participating as observer countries, thereby expanding ASEAN's defence diplomacy on a global scale.
He further emphasized Malaysia's dedication as ASEAN Chair in 2025 to fostering trust, transparency, and security cooperation in Southeast Asia, aligning with ASEAN's principles of rejecting confrontation and promoting dialogue and mutual understanding. This year's ADMM and ADMM-Plus are anticipated to be among the most significant since their inception in 2006.
All 11 ASEAN member states, including newly admitted Timor-Leste, are set to attend the meeting at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). Additionally, eight Plus dialogue partner countries-namely the United States, Russia, Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand-have confirmed their participation.
Muhammad Ammir noted that ASEAN, particularly Malaysia, provides a secure environment for major powers to engage in dialogue without geopolitical pressure, maintaining its stance of neutrality. Malaysia's hedging policy enables it to nurture good relations with all parties, including in security and economic areas, without aligning with any specific power bloc.
Preparations for Malaysia's chairmanship began early this year, with coordination through the Whole-of-Government, Whole-of-Society (WOGOS) approach as outlined in the Defence White Paper. MINDEF led various meetings with ASEAN counterparts and Plus countries, in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry and other ministries.
Key preparations included the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Retreat in Penang on February 26, where defence ministers agreed on the region's strategic defence direction, followed by a session involving senior officers in Desaru on September 24 and 25.
Commenting on this year's ADMM focus areas, Muhammad Ammir mentioned cybersecurity, maritime security, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in defence, which are expected to shape the region's new security landscape. He stressed the importance of security stability for economic prosperity, particularly concerning the Blue Economy Action Plan under government drafting.
Muhammad Ammir concluded that ADMM and ADMM-Plus serve as diplomatic forums and platforms to ensure regional peace, stability, and prosperity.