ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn met with Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence, Senior General Phan Van Giang, in Hanoi on October 25, 2024, to discuss regional security cooperation and the bloc’s defense priorities. The high-level meeting focused on strengthening the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) framework and maintaining regional stability amidst complex geopolitical shifts in the South China Sea.
Strengthening ASEAN Defence Cooperation
The meeting between Dr. Kao Kim Hourn and Senior General Phan Van Giang underscored the importance of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) as the primary mechanism for defense dialogue in the region. According to the Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam, the discussion centered on how member states can better coordinate to address non-traditional security challenges, including maritime security, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
Dr. Kao emphasized that Vietnam remains a key contributor to ASEAN’s collective security architecture. Since Vietnam joined the bloc in 1995, its role within the ADMM and the ADMM-Plus—which includes dialogue partners like the United States, China, and Japan—has grown significantly. The Secretary-General highlighted Vietnam’s active participation in peacekeeping operations as a model for other member states to follow when engaging with international partners.
Why Maritime Stability Remains a Priority
Regional stability, particularly concerning the South China Sea, dominated the context of the diplomatic exchange. While the official readout from the ASEAN Secretariat focused on general security cooperation, the meeting occurred against a backdrop of ongoing negotiations regarding the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.
Vietnam has consistently advocated for a legally binding and effective COC that aligns with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). By meeting with the Secretary-General, Minister Phan Van Giang reinforced Vietnam’s commitment to multilateralism. This approach contrasts with bilateral postures, as Vietnam seeks to utilize the ASEAN platform to manage territorial disputes through institutional norms rather than unilateral actions.
What Defines the ASEAN-Vietnam Defence Relationship
The relationship between the ASEAN Secretariat and the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence is defined by a commitment to the “ASEAN Way,” characterized by non-interference and consensus-based decision-making.
Key Areas of Cooperation
- Capacity Building: Collaborative training programs for military personnel across ASEAN member states.
- Peacekeeping: Sharing best practices regarding UN peacekeeping missions, an area where Vietnam has significantly expanded its footprint since 2014.
- Cybersecurity: Developing standardized protocols for regional cyber-defense to protect critical infrastructure.
- Disaster Management: Enhancing the role of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre).
Future Outlook for Regional Security
Looking ahead, the collaboration between the ASEAN Secretariat and Vietnam is expected to focus on the transition toward the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. Senior General Phan Van Giang noted that Vietnam will continue to support the Secretary-General’s initiatives to improve the efficiency of ASEAN’s security organs.
As the regional security environment becomes increasingly crowded with competing interests from global powers, the ability of ASEAN to maintain its “centrality”—the principle that the bloc should lead regional architecture—remains the central challenge for Dr. Kao Kim Hourn’s tenure. The meeting in Hanoi serves as a tactical reminder that defense diplomacy remains the backbone of this political strategy.