17th ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces’ Meeting opens in Hanoi

(Bqp.vn) - The 17th ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces’ Meeting (ACDFM-17) with the theme “Military Cooperation for a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN” was held virtually in Hanoi on September 24. Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Standing Member of the Central Military Commission, Chief of the General Staff, Deputy Minister of National Defence chaired the meeting.

During the meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam. (photo: Nguyen Hai)

Attending the meeting in Hanoi were Chair of ASEAN Military Intelligence Meeting; Chair of ASEAN Military Operations Meeting; representatives from the Foreign Relations Department, the General Staff Office, the Institute for Defence International Relations; ambassadors and defence attaches of ASEAN countries in Hanoi.

It was the first time ACDFM and its related meetings have been virtually conducted, which shows the proactiveness, responsiveness as well as the determination of the host country and ASEAN countries to prevent the COVID-19 from affecting the process of ASEAN military-defence cooperation.

In his opening remarks, Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang warmly welcomed the delegates to attend ACDFM-17 and thanked the ministries of defence and militaries of ASEAN countries for their supports to Vietnam in the role of 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship.

Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang delivering opening remarks at ACDFM-17. (photo: Nguyen Hai)

Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang affirmed that ASEAN militaries have actively taken part in their Governments’ overall efforts to respond to the disease. He expressed his belief that with the efforts of all ASEAN countries, the pandemic will be controlled and people’s lives will soon return to normal.

Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang said that this online meeting is a new, innovative way, and suitable for the current situation. He highly appreciated the outcomes of AMIM-17 and AMOM-10, especially adoption of drafts of ASEAN Militaries’ 2-year work plan (2020-2022) and ACDFM-17 Joint Statement.

Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang and delegates in a joint photo. (photo: Nguyen Hai)

At the meeting, the participants will approve the reports on the outcomes of AMIM-17 and AMOM-10; exchange their views on regional security challenges of mutual interest; discuss measures for the promotion of the practical cooperation and the enhancement of the ASEAN cohesiveness and collective responsiveness to the common threats; adopt the ASEAN Militaries’ 2-year work plan (2020-2022) and ACDFM-17 Joint Statement. They will also witness the hand-over ceremony of ASEAN Chairmanship from Vietnam to Brunei.