Defence Services C-in-C attends 23rd ASEAN Defence Chiefs meeting via video conference

Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Ye Win Oo says Myanmar will continue pursuing a region-based federal system compatible with the country’s conditions, while work related to the safety of national interest, the rule of law, and administrative reforms will be accelerated.

The 23rd ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces Meeting (23rd ACDFM) was held via video conferencing on May 21, with Myanmar’s Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Ye Win Oo leading the Myanmar delegation, according to official reports.

The meeting was attended by defence chiefs and senior military representatives from ASEAN member states, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who chaired the 23rd ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces Meeting (23rd ACDFM), delivered an opening address. Maj-Gen Benedict D Balaba, Chief of Staff for Intelligence of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who chaired the 23rd ASEAN Military Intelligence Meeting (23rd AMIM), and Chief of Staff for Operations Maj-Gen Elmer B Suderio of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who chaired the 16th ASEAN Military Operations Meeting (16th AMOM), read out the reports of relevant meetings.

The leaders of delegations from the armed forces of ASEAN member states in attendance discussed their views on the theme “Securing Our Future, Together” in turn, following the alphabetical order of the countries.

In his discussion, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services General Ye Win Oo of the Myanmar Tatmadaw said that since its establishment, ASEAN has been a united organization founded on strong principles and noble objectives. Likewise, ASEAN armed forces have continuously focused on enhancing efforts to promote regional stability, peace, development, and future security. The theme of this year’s meeting, “Securing Our Future, Together”, is highly relevant to the current situations faced by ASEAN armed forces and is also a strategic necessity. Furthermore, it highlights and reinforces ASEAN’s core objectives and activities.

At present, major powers are increasingly refraining from using direct military invasion against other countries. Instead, in order to exert control and influence over those countries, they are employing a wide range of approaches through assistance and support, including political, economic, social, ideological, propaganda, military, and diplomatic means. In particular, some major powers are competing in efforts to bring small countries in the Asia-Pacific region under their influence, ranging from political and economic leverage to military influence. This includes forming alliance blocs and conducting military exercises as part of their strategic competition to expand their influence.

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar has now successfully held a free and dignified election, and Hluttaws comprising elected representatives who will practically implement the will of the people, along with a democratically elected government, have emerged. In order to strengthen the country’s journey toward building a democratic nation, efforts to establish a region-based federal system compatible with the country’s conditions will continue, while work related to the safety of national interest, the rule of law, and administrative reforms will be accelerated. The new government also wishes to reaffirm that it will pursue an independent, active, and non-aligned foreign policy, strengthen existing friendship and cooperation with neighbouring countries and partner countries, and continue to promote regional interests in a balanced manner.

The foundation for regional peace, stability, development, and future security depends on the security environment of each member state. Therefore, in order to strengthen regional stability in the future and address complex and multifaceted challenges, all member states will be able to overcome and respond to them only through unity and cooperation. In line with the theme of today’s meeting, “Securing Our Future, Together”, it was emphasized that, for the future social development of the peoples of ASEAN member states, as well as for regional stability and security, the Myanmar Tatmadaw will actively cooperate and work together with ASEAN member states.

Likewise, the General discussed that ASEAN and the ASEAN armed forces should work together in unity to build a stable, peaceful, and secure community based on the long-standing friendly relations among the peoples within the ASEAN region.

The Two-Year Activity Work Plan (2026-2028) of ASEAN Defence Forces was approved. Moreover, the Joint Statement of the 23rd ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces Meeting (23rd ACDFM) was also affirmed. They signed the joint statement and had documentary photos taken with the ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces.

The 16th ASEAN Military Operations Meeting (16th AMOM) was held on 19 May, attended by a delegation led by Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Than Htaik of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) and the 3rd ASEAN Military Intelligence Community Leaders’ Conference (AMICLC 3) and the 23rd ASEAN Military Intelligence Meeting (23rd AMIM) by Chief of Military Affairs Security Lt-Gen Kyaw Ko Htaik and party on 19 and 20 May through videoconferencing. Commitments to strengthening relations and enhancing cooperation among ASEAN armed forces have been further solidified.