Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen attended the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Retreat in Luang Prabang, Laos, today.

At the ADMM Retreat, Dr Ng and his counterparts exchanged views on the ADMM's post-2025 strategy, in response to an evolving geopolitical environment. In his remarks, Dr Ng emphasised the achievements of the ADMM thus far, and highlighted various suggestions and areas of cooperation to enable the ADMM and ADMM-Plus to remain relevant, as well as open and inclusive. Timor-Leste attended the ADMM Retreat for the first time as an observer.

The ASEAN Defence Ministers also released a Joint Statement on the ADMM's accomplishments over the past decade in service of the ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC) Blueprint 2025. The Joint Statement recognised the ADMM's contributions in promoting strategic dialogue and practical cooperation, tackling cross-sectoral issues such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime security and counter-terrorism, responding to emerging security threats and challenges, and implementing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). It pledged to continue to strengthen security cooperation through existing mechanisms to fully realise the APSC Blueprint 2025 and help develop the new APSC Strategic Plan under the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Speaking after the meeting, Dr Ng emphasised the importance of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus as key open and inclusive platforms for ASEAN and its Plus partners to discuss pressing regional security issues and develop practical solutions to address common challenges. He said: "We are very gratified that the ADMM and ADMM-Plus have indeed become the accepted ASEAN-led regional security architecture. It allows ASEAN Member States to be central drivers in setting the direction for security engagements for this region."

On the sidelines of the ADMM Retreat, Dr Ng met with the Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General (GEN) Chansamone Chanyalath yesterday. Dr Ng conveyed his appreciation to Laos for convening the Retreat to discuss key issues of strategic significance and build a forward-looking, post-2025 vision for the ADMM and ADMM-Plus.

The ADMM is a key pillar of the regional security architecture and has contributed to regional peace and security by fostering trust and sustained practical cooperation among its 10 member countries.