KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — With the 47th Asean Summit wrapped up Malaysia is set to host another major regional event this weekend — the 19th Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 12th ADMM-Plus at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
Established in 2006, this year’s gathering is expected to see the rollout of 20 joint initiatives — the highest number in ADMM history.
For the uninitiated, Malay Mail has put together a simplified explainer on what happens at these events.
When are the meetings happening?
Both the ADMM and the ADMM-Plus are scheduled from October 30 to November 2 and will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
Who’s attending?
All 11 Asean member states, including Timor-Leste, which was accepted as a full member at the recently concluded 47th Asean Summit, will be attending both meetings.
The other member states comprise Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The ADMM-Plus will see participation from eight dialogue partners (collectively referred to as the Plus countries): the United States, Russia, Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand.
Outside these circles, the meetings will also see representatives like US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov and China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun in attendance.
Both ADMM and ADMM-Plus this time around will be chaired by Malaysia’s Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, just like how the Asean chairmanship rotates in line with the bloc’s leadership.
Why do these defence meetings matter to Malaysia?
For Malaysia, hosting the ADMM and ADMM-Plus reinforces its role as a bridge-builder in regional security — a platform to deepen cooperation on shared concerns such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber defence, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.
It also allows Malaysia to showcase its commitment to practical, people-centred defence collaboration — ensuring that the region’s push for security goes hand in hand with stability and development.
The focus areas include maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster management; peacekeeping operations, military medicine, border management, defence education, confidence-building measures and cyber security.
As the highest defence consultative and cooperative platform in Asean, this mechanism has helped member states and its dialogue partners enhance security and defence cooperation to promote peace, stability and development across South-east Asia, which have the world’s busiest sea routes and ports for shipping and trade.
Why are the defence meetings held separately from the Asean Summit?
Unlike the Asean Summit, which is attended by heads of government and focuses on political and economic direction, the ADMM and ADMM-Plus are sectoral ministerial meetings dedicated solely to defence and security cooperation.
They provide a specialised platform for ministers and military officials to exchange ideas, build confidence, and translate dialogue into coordinated action across the region.
