Phnom Penh (FN), Nov. 10 – Cambodia will chair the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and other relating meetings in 2022 via videoconference.

Cambodian defense minister Tea Banh urged a strong unity of ADMM to achieve significant tasks as it will help bring the region a harmonious security and post-COVID19 rehabilitation plan.

“As the chair of ADMM next year, Cambodia chooses the theme, Solidarity for Harmonious Security,” defense minister said.

Cambodia will work towards the following priorities, including (1) strengthen efforts and commitment to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the region by adhering to the principles of win-win policy, (2) promote women's role in ASEAN and participation in UN peacekeeping mission, (3) promote border cooperation between ASEAN nations in response to COVID19, (4) increase efforts to fully implement the three-year programme of ADMM, and (5) promote trust-building and transparency.

Cambodia will also launch the third Cambodian security and defense policy to express her efforts in trust-building and transparency in the region.

Minister emphasized that Cambodia will also focus on strengthening ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN Unity through regional mechanisms and with external partners’ cooperation.

This focus will be on the ASEAN Way and principles as stipulated in the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

ASEAN must be resilient and strong against any pressures or influences stemming from the rising tensions of geopolitical competition as well as the familiar challenges of transnational crime and terrorism or potential challenges from climate change and novel infectious diseases, in order to ensure our way forward in peace, security and prosperity.
=FRESH NEWS