(Kuala Lumpur, 2nd) ASEAN and its defense dialogue partners should work together to uphold international norms and establish new standards that are suited for the new environment in emerging areas such as cybersecurity and the protection of cyber infrastructure, thus ensuring stability and resilience in the region.
Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Defence, Ng Eng Hen, speaking at the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturday (November 1), also called on countries to avoid zero-sum thinking and emphasized that pursuing win-win outcomes is the true form of victory.
He said: “Singapore is ready to work with all ADMM-Plus member countries to address existing challenges, build new capabilities, and bridge differences to jointly strengthen stability and resilience in our region.”
The ADMM-Plus members include the 11 ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States.
This year also marks the 15th anniversary of the ADMM-Plus. During the meeting, a joint statement was adopted, reiterating the importance of the meeting and the commitment of all members to continue promoting practical cooperation through the effective operation of expert working groups.
A statement from the Ministry of Defence on Saturday evening also said that Ng Eng Hen attended the informal ASEAN–Japan Defence Ministers’ meeting and the ASEAN–US Defence Ministers’ tea session.
Singapore has been the coordinator for ASEAN–Japan dialogue relations since last year and will continue until 2027. During the meeting, Ng Eng Hen emphasized that ASEAN and Japan share common interests in upholding global security rules and norms, and he welcomed Japan’s proposals to strengthen cooperation in areas such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime security, and non-traditional security.
Ng Eng Hen also announced that ASEAN’s chemical, biological, and radiological defense experts would work with Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force to organize an “ASEAN–Japan Chemical and Biological Threat Tabletop Exercise and Workshop” in 2026.
At the ASEAN–US tea session, he said that Singapore values the US contribution to regional security and affirmed the importance of enhancing security through sustained dialogue and cooperation. He added that Singapore looks forward to working with the US on regional capacity building and cooperation framework development.
Ng Eng Hen also engaged in exchanges with other defense ministers from dialogue partners.
The Philippines will assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026, and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting and ADMM-Plus will be held in the Philippines next year.
Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Defence, Ng Eng Hen, speaking at the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Saturday (November 1), also called on countries to avoid zero-sum thinking and emphasized that pursuing win-win outcomes is the true form of victory.
He said: “Singapore is ready to work with all ADMM-Plus member countries to address existing challenges, build new capabilities, and bridge differences to jointly strengthen stability and resilience in our region.”
The ADMM-Plus members include the 11 ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States.
This year also marks the 15th anniversary of the ADMM-Plus. During the meeting, a joint statement was adopted, reiterating the importance of the meeting and the commitment of all members to continue promoting practical cooperation through the effective operation of expert working groups.
A statement from the Ministry of Defence on Saturday evening also said that Ng Eng Hen attended the informal ASEAN–Japan Defence Ministers’ meeting and the ASEAN–US Defence Ministers’ tea session.
Singapore has been the coordinator for ASEAN–Japan dialogue relations since last year and will continue until 2027. During the meeting, Ng Eng Hen emphasized that ASEAN and Japan share common interests in upholding global security rules and norms, and he welcomed Japan’s proposals to strengthen cooperation in areas such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime security, and non-traditional security.
Ng Eng Hen also announced that ASEAN’s chemical, biological, and radiological defense experts would work with Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force to organize an “ASEAN–Japan Chemical and Biological Threat Tabletop Exercise and Workshop” in 2026.
At the ASEAN–US tea session, he said that Singapore values the US contribution to regional security and affirmed the importance of enhancing security through sustained dialogue and cooperation. He added that Singapore looks forward to working with the US on regional capacity building and cooperation framework development.
Ng Eng Hen also engaged in exchanges with other defense ministers from dialogue partners.
The Philippines will assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026, and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting and ADMM-Plus will be held in the Philippines next year.