ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM)

• Established in 2006
• Meets annually
• Last Meeting: 3^rd ADMM, Pattaya, Thailand, 25-27 February 2009

 
The ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) is the highest defence mechanism within ASEAN. The annual ADMM facilitates the ASEAN defence ministers to discuss and exchange views on current defence and security issues and challenges faced. The ADMM also aims to promote mutual trust and confidence through greater understanding of defence and security challenges as well as enhancement of transparency and openness.

Cooperation in the ASEAN defence sector has grown steadily since its inception in 2006 with the ASEAN Defence Ministers adopting concept papers on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, linkages with extra-regional partners and also on engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

The Concept Paper on the Use of ASEAN Military Assets and Capacities in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) aims at accelerating ASEAN Militaries’ operational effectiveness in HADR, while the Concept Paper on ADMMPlus: Principles for Membership, is a follow-up to the ADMMPlus Concept Paper adopted at the 2nd ADMM in November 2007. The Concept Paper on Defence Establishments and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Cooperation on Non-Traditional Security outlines the framework and guidelines for engagement with the CSOs on Non-Traditional Security issues. The three Concept Papers were all adopted at the 3rd ADMM held in Pattaya, Thailand in February 2009.

The ADMM also continues to exchange views on addressing non-traditional security challenges and discusses the need to strengthen and take more practical steps in defence cooperation in order to make further contribution to regional peace and stability. The Meeting also reiterated its commitment to increase interactions at all levels and build a strong foundation to support the establishment of the ASEAN Community as indicated in the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Blueprint.

To better respond to non-traditional threats, the 3rd ADMM Joint Declaration on Strengthening ASEAN Defence Establishments to Meet the Challenges of Non-Traditional Security Threats was signed in Pattaya, Thailand.

The 4th ADMM will be hosted by Viet Nam in 2010.