Rapt attention: (From left) Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Vietnam Defence Minister Phan Van Giang listening to Hun Sen’s speech during the ADMM-Plus in Siem Reap. — AP
The ninth Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-PLus) began discussing ways to strengthen security, stability and prosperity in the region and world.
Under the theme “Solidarity for Harmonised Security”, yesterday’s meeting brought together defence ministers from Asean and its dialogue partners including Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said the meeting took place against the backdrop of rising uncertainty, rapid changes, complexity and volatility of global security and economic environment.
He said the rise of geopolitical rivalries and tensions, the continued fight against Covid-19 pandemic, the food and energy crisis, the global economic downturn and war had formed a “perfect storm”.
“The world is obviously at a critical juncture as multiple complex crises are posing unprecedented threats to the very foundations of peace, stability, and progress of many countries around the world,” Hun Sen said.
“Indeed, the decline of multilateralism harms us all.”
He added that the ADMM-Plus played an increasingly critical role in promoting mutual understanding through the candid exchange of views based on mutual respect, practical collaboration and capacity building.
“Promoting mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual trust, and mutual interest for peace and prosperity is fundamental.
“As a small state, Cambodia firmly and consistently advocates open and inclusive multilateralism, strengthens Asean-led mechanisms or Asean-driven regional order, and adheres to international law, particularly the United Nations Charter,” he added.
Hun Sen said interconnectedness, interdependence and cooperative security had been the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific. — Xinhua
