The 8th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) was successfully held virtually today at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Berakas. The meeting was chaired by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd. Yussof, Minister of Defence II, in his capacity as Brunei Darussalam ADMM-Plus Leader.
Present were Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’awiah, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, and Haji Adi Ihram bin Dato Paduka Haji Mahmud, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Strategy) in their respective capacity as Brunei Darussalam ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting Plus (ADSOM-Plus) Leader and Brunei Darussalam ADSOMPlus Working Group Leader.
Yang Berhormat Minister of Defence II in his opening remarks, extended his appreciation for the continued support by ASEAN Member States and Plus Countries alike to Brunei Darussalam’s chairmanship of ADMM and its related meetings this year. The meeting observed the progress of the seven (07) ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Groups (ADMM-Plus EWGs), noting the resumption of activities this year following a postponement in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The leaders were also briefed on reports on ADSOM-Plus, delivered by Brunei Darussalam ADSOM-Plus Leader.
Also present at the virtual meeting was His Excellency Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi, ASEAN Secretary-General, who delivered a report on recent developments in ASEAN and highlighted developments in other sectoral bodies and pillars. The Defence Ministers also exchanged views on the regional and international security environment.
The 8th ADMM-Plus also agreed to adopt the ‘Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration by the ADMM-Plus in Commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of the ADMM on Promoting a Future-Ready, Peaceful and Prosperous ASEAN’.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, Brunei Darussalam will host the ADMM Retreat in November 2021, which will also include the Handover Ceremony to Cambodia as the next Chair for ADMM and its related meetings in 2022.
Source: The Government Public Relations Department