GEORGE TOWN: The 19th Asean Defence Minister Meeting (ADMM) retreat officially began on Wednesday (Feb 26) at Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort.
The annual gathering of leaders from all ten member states was inaugurated with opening remarks by the meeting chairman, Malaysia's Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
Mohamed Khaled, in his opening remarks, said that as Malaysia assumes the chairmanship of ADMM and ADMM-Plus this year, the country is proud to introduce the theme of the retreat, "Asean Unity for Security and Prosperity."
"This theme reflects our conviction that security is the bedrock of economic growth, stability, and the well-being of our people.
"A strong and united Asean will be better positioned to navigate today's evolving geopolitical landscape and ensure that our region remains peaceful, resilient, and prosperous," he said.
He stated that in an era where security challenges are becoming more complex and transcend national borders, Asean's unity and robust regional cooperation are more crucial than ever.
The region faces both traditional and non-traditional security threats that no single country can tackle alone.
He said it is imperative to enhance the collective capacity to respond effectively and proactively to these challenges.
He said the theme aligns seamlessly with Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship theme of "Inclusivity and Sustainability."
He added that as the chairman of ADMM this year, Malaysia is committed to advancing several key defence priorities that reflect both current and emerging security challenges.
Among the priorities that would be discussed, he said, are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cyber Security in Defence, maritime securities, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), including Search and Rescue (SAR), defence security cooperation, security threats from non-state actors, and biosecurity.
Earlier, all ten Asean Defence Ministers, along with Timor-Leste's Defence Minister and a representative from the Asean Secretariat, participated in a photo session at the hotel compound.
During the session, the delegates performed the traditional Asean handshake.
The ADMM retreat kicked off on Tuesday and was held in conjunction with the ADMM 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, scheduled for November.
More than 150 delegates participated in the event.
