The Department of National Defense (DND) led another meeting of the Ad Hoc ASEAN Defense Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADSOM)-Plus Working Group on June 9 as the Philippines continued to steer defense cooperation efforts under its ASEAN 2026 chairship.
The meeting, held via video conference, was the third ADSOM-Plus Working Group session convened under the country’s chairship.
Building on discussions from its May 20 meeting, the working group reviewed ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening ASEAN defense cooperation and promoting regional peace, stability, and security.
The discussions also highlighted the role of the youth in peace and security, an area seen as increasingly important in sustaining regional resilience and cooperation.
Representatives from ASEAN member states and Plus Countries also took up updates on the next three-year cycle of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Experts’ Working Group Co-Chairship, covering 2027 to 2030.
The working group likewise reviewed preparations for upcoming ASEAN defense engagements.
The meeting was presided over by Office for International Affairs Director Faysaleyyah Abdullah on behalf of Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Marita Yoro, who serves as ADSOM Working Group chair.
The DND said the meeting reflected ASEAN’s continuing commitment to deepen strategic and practical defense cooperation with its partners in addressing security challenges across the region.