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ASEAN marks 15 years of ADMM-Plus with renewed call for unity, respect for international law
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By AUFA MARDHIAH
ASEAN defence ministers have reaffirmed their collective stand to uphold peace, stability and respect for international law, as the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) opened today with a call for dialogue over division amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Chairing the session, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the forum’s 15th anniversary underscored ASEAN’s enduring role as a neutral and inclusive platform for security cooperation among major powers.
“Dialogue works, trust can be built, and unity remains ASEAN’s greatest defence,” he said in his opening remarks at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The meeting, attended by defence ministers and representatives from 18 countries including the US, China, India, Japan, Australia, and Russia, coincided with the 15th anniversary of the ADMM-Plus — a forum established to promote cooperation between ASEAN and its dialogue partners on defence and security issues.
Khaled said the forum’s continued relevance is proof that ASEAN can remain a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality, resisting great-power competition while maintaining its centrality in regional decision-making.
“ASEAN is not a stage for rivalry or dominance. We urge all partners to respect ASEAN norms and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and to continue engaging through mutual respect,” he said.
He also outlined the bloc’s priorities for cooperation on non-traditional and transboundary security threats, including cyberattacks, climate change, natural disasters, pandemics, and food insecurity. He warned that such threats were no longer confined to national borders and required joint action through the ADMM-Plus Expert Working Groups.
Khaled further emphasised that respect for international law remains non-negotiable, calling on all nations to uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others.
He expressed Malaysia’s deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, condemning what he described as the use of “starvation and deprivation as weapons of war.”
He also welcomed the US’ Comprehensive Plan to end the conflict in Gaza, urging all major powers to use their influence responsibly and within the framework of international law.
“This is not about choosing sides, but about standing for what is right — the preservation of humanity and the rejection of impunity,” he said.
Furthermore, Khaled commended Cambodia and Thailand for resolving their border tensions through constructive dialogue, supported by ASEAN and its partners.
The peaceful mediation process, facilitated under Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship, was highlighted as a milestone in the region’s ability to address security challenges internally.
“This achievement reinforces the trust and confidence we have built over the years.
“It proves that ASEAN can manage its own affairs peacefully, with support from friends who respect our independence,” he said.
Khaled said ASEAN’s ability to convene major powers, including China and the US, at the same table demonstrates the bloc’s continuing credibility as a neutral platform for security dialogue.
“In a world where mistrust often dominates diplomacy, the ADMM-Plus reminds us that cooperation is still possible. Our shared commitment is to choose dialogue over division, cooperation over competition, and trust over tension,” he said.
Khaled urged all partners to preserve the inclusive, ASEAN-led spirit of the ADMM-Plus as the region faces new security and technological challenges.
“As we look to the future, our task is to ensure that ADMM-Plus remains a platform for peace, not polarity,” he said.
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