Vietnamese delegates to ADSOM+ on April 7, 2021 (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, who headed the Vietnamese delegation, reviewed defense-military cooperation between ASEAN and its partners and commented on regional and global security, which is currently facing both by traditional and non-traditional challenges. Chien noted strategic competition in the region, maritime security, and diminished commitment and cooperation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM+ and its support for Brunei’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2021. Vietnam’s Defense Ministry announced the multilateral events it will be hosting this year.  

Chiefs of delegations to ADSOM+ worked on a draft joint declaration and preparations for the 8^th ADMM+ slated for June 16.