Manila: The Philippines' commitment to secure the Southeast Asian region was reiterated anew when the Department of National Defense (DND) convened the Ad Hoc ASEAN Defence Senior Officials' Meeting (ADSOM)-Plus Working Group (WG) via video conference on May 20.
According to Philippines News Agency, the online meeting was presided over by Defense Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Marita Yoro, in her capacity as ADSOM-Plus WG Chair. "The meeting revolved around commitments to regional defense and security, particularly with respect to advancing the role and contribution of young women and men in the defense sector to peacebuilding," the statement read.
The ADSOM-Plus WG also discussed the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Experts' Working Groups (EWG) Co-Chairship for the 2027-2030 cycle and the way forward of ASEAN defense engagements for 2026. The meeting was attended by ASEAN Member States, the Plus Countries, including Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States, as well as the ASEAN Secretariat.
The ADSOM-Plus WG meeting emphasized ASEAN's strong commitment to drive regional security and bolster partnership.
