Asean faces increasing regional security challenges, says top Indonesian defence official

JAKARTA, June 22 (Bernama): The South-East Asian region is facing increasing security challenges including terrorism and cyber security threats as well as a dynamic geopolitical and geostrategic environment.

According to Donny Ermawan Taufanto, secretary general of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, other issues include territorial disputes, international crimes, and confrontations between nations in the region.

"These challenges require vigilance and continuous cooperation between Asean member countries and their partners," he said while chairing the 20th Asean Regional Forum Security Policy Conference, here on Wednesday.

The area, he pointed out, has "travelled a long way towards peace and security through significant steps in economic growth, social development, and political stability."

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence said that 25 officials from the Asean Regional Conference's 27 member nations attended the conference, theme titled "Navigating a Bright Future for Sustainable Peace, Prosperity, and Security."

The delegation consisted of 10 Asean members, eight dialogue partner countries, and nine other countries. Representatives from North Korea and Mongolia were not able to attend.

This year's forum focuses on contemporary and future regional and global security challenges as well as regional cooperation to support the blue economy and mitigation of climate change impact.

Measures to build mutual trust to maintain peace, prosperity, and security in the region were also discussed, according to the ministry. - Bernama