The Philippines and New Zealand jointly chaired the 2026 ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Defense Officials’ Dialogue on Monday, bringing together defense representatives from 27 countries to discuss regional security cooperation and emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
Held virtually, the dialogue focused on strengthening coordination among ASEAN-led defense mechanisms and ensuring that regional security platforms remain responsive to evolving geopolitical and security developments.
Representing the Philippines, Department of National Defense Office for International Affairs Director Faysaleyyah Abdullah highlighted Manila’s ASEAN chairmanship theme, “Navigating Our Future Together,” and emphasized the importance of sustained multilateral cooperation amid an increasingly complex regional security environment.
Abdullah noted that many of the security concerns present during the establishment of the ARF in 1994 remain relevant today, but said current geopolitical developments require stronger coordination among regional defense partners.
The Philippine delegation also led discussions on improving defense cooperation under the ARF framework and enhancing coordination between ASEAN-led security initiatives, including the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus.
Participating countries exchanged recommendations aimed at keeping regional defense cooperation effective and responsive to evolving security challenges across the Indo-Pacific.
The dialogue also tackled preparations for the 23rd ARF Security Policy Conference and reviewed ongoing efforts to align future initiatives with the ARF Ha Noi Plan of Action II for 2020 to 2025 and its successor framework.
Officials said the engagement reflects continuing efforts by ASEAN partners to strengthen multilateral dialogue and promote regional peace and stability through cooperative security mechanisms.