Senior defense officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partner countries convened in Manila to strengthen cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) while addressing emerging regional security challenges.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of National Defense (DND) said the Philippines, as this year’s ASEAN chair, hosted the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADSOM)-Plus Working Group from March 30 to 31.

The meeting brought together representatives from ASEAN member states and “Plus Countries” — Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States.

DND Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Marita Yoro chaired the meeting in her capacity as head of the ADSOM-Plus Working Group.

“Discussions focused on the progress of cooperation under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Experts’ Working Groups (EWGs) for the 2024–2027 cycle. Updates were presented across the key areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime security, military medicine, counterterrorism, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian mine action, and cyber security,” the DND said.

The agency said the discussions underscored a continued push for practical, action-oriented collaboration to address increasingly complex security challenges.

Yoro highlighted the need to sustain ASEAN-led defense cooperation amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.

“As we come together today amidst widening geopolitical fault lines and sharpening strategic competition,’ regional efforts must remain ‘guided by peace and security anchors built on adherence to international law, genuine dialogue, and cooperation for the benefit of all,’” she said.

She also called for unity and a rules-based international order, urging closer collaboration among member states.

The meeting reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening ASEAN centrality and deepening engagement with dialogue partners through the ADMM-Plus platform.

Officials also tackled emerging concerns, including the protection of critical underwater infrastructure, responses to chemical, biological and radiological threats, and adapting to new technologies.

On the sidelines, Yoro met with counterparts from partner countries to explore further collaboration and coordinate responses to regional and global security issues.

In a separate statement, Yoro emphasized ASEAN’s role in maintaining regional stability.

“ASEAN remains the only viable institution that can hold the center, as we are reminded of the importance of sustained and principled dialogue, commitment to peaceful and constructive engagement, and an enduring sense of shared responsibility that should guide our collective efforts,” she said.

Yoro also noted that this year’s ADMM is significant as ASEAN marks the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting and the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, milestones reflecting decades of regional cooperation. (PNA)