PHNOM PENH, Jun 18 (NNN-AKP) – Cambodia is ready to host the 16th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), on Jun 22, in Phnom Penh, according to a defence ministry’s press statement, yesterday.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Gen. Tea Banh, will chair the meeting, which will bring together defence ministers from all ASEAN member states, the statement said.
A number of documents are expected to be adopted in the upcoming meeting, including enhanced military cooperation among ASEAN member states, to prevent cross-border pandemics, promoting support mechanisms for ASEAN female peacekeepers, and establishing cooperation among ASEAN military educational institutions, it said.
General Nem Sowath, director-general of Cambodia’s General Department of the Defence Ministry’s Policy and Foreign Affairs, said, the meeting is also expected to endorse a Phnom Penh vision on the role of defence institutions, in supporting the post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery, and a joint declaration of the ASEAN Defence Ministers on defence cooperation to strengthen solidarity for harmonious security.
“As the host of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ meeting and related security meetings in 2022, Cambodia is committed to promoting ASEAN’s solidarity to address current and emerging security challenges in the region,” he said, at a press conference here.
Sowath added, apart from the 16th ADMM, there will also be a virtual ASEAN-China Defence Ministers’ informal meeting and a physical ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers’ informal meeting.– NNN-AKP
