The United States (US) Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and other Southeast Asian Defence Ministers as well as their representatives at an informal Southeast Asia-US Defence Ministers' meeting held on the sidelines of the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue today.

During the meeting, Secretary Austin spoke about the US' key role and strategy in maintaining an open, inclusive and rules-based regional security environment, and reaffirmed the US' strong commitment to the region. He said that the US would continue to deepen cooperation with ASEAN, particularly in the area of maritime security, and play a strong role in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus. The Defence Ministers welcomed the US' continued commitment to and engagement of the region.

Dr Ng welcomed the strong commitment by the US to engage with ASEAN, and reaffirmed the principles that underpin the US and ASEAN's strong relationship. Dr Ng also looked forward to enhancing cooperation with the US, including through the ADMM-Plus to tackle transnational security challenges.