Singapore facilitated an informal meeting between Acting United States (US) Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, and other Southeast Asian Defence Ministers and their representatives today, on the sidelines of the 18th Shangri-La Dialogue. 

During the meeting, Acting Secretary Shanahan spoke about the US' key role and strategy in maintaining an open and inclusive regional security architecture, and reaffirmed the US' strong commitment to the region. He said that the US would continue to engage the Asia-Pacific, and continue to play a strong role in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus. 

The Southeast Asian Defence Ministers welcomed the US' continued commitment to and engagement of the region. Dr Ng expressed his strong support for deepening ASEAN's cooperation with the US, and highlighted the US' key role in addressing regional security challenges. In particular, in light of the clear and present terrorist threat, he expressed hope that the US will continue to support regional counter-terrorism efforts.