KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — Three key issues are likely to be on the table as South-east Asia’s defence ministers convene here for the 19th Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 12th ADMM-Plus starting today till Sunday.

Border tensions, the growing menace of artificial intelligence (AI), and disaster response coordination are top of the list of security challenges facing the region and its economic partners.

Malaysia aims to use its chairmanship to reinforce Asean’s unity and shared responsibility in safeguarding regional peace.

“The ADMM is an enduring symbol of Asean’s unity, resilience and shared responsibility.

“It demonstrates our readiness to take ownership of our own security and to actively shape the regional security architecture from within,” Malaysia’s Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said in a press conference ahead of the meetings

Border stability under the spotlight

A central item on the agenda will be the creation of an Asean Observer Team to monitor the ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, marking one of the most concrete outcomes following the recent Kuala Lumpur Accord between both countries.

Khaled said the observer team will help de-escalate tensions along the border while strengthening Asean’s ability to manage conflicts within its own region.

He said the initiative reflects Malaysia’s belief that Asean should lead in preventing and resolving disputes among its members rather than relying on external mediation.

“The acceptance of Timor-Leste and its inclusion in Asean, including in the ADMM, shows how much we emphasise the importance of solidarity and inclusive cooperation in maintaining security and stability across the region,” he said.

Tackling new-age threats

Another key discussion point will be cyber and maritime security, as well as the protection of critical underwater infrastructure, an area of growing vulnerability for member states.

Khaled said the meetings will also adopt 20 new initiatives, the most in ADMM history, to enhance coordination and operational readiness in addressing emerging threats.

Malaysia, he added, hopes to steer the bloc towards a more cohesive and future-ready defence framework, one that can respond quickly to modern challenges like cyber attacks and the misuse of AI.

Asean will also issue its first-ever joint statement on AI in defence – the first by any regional organisation, outlining the bloc’s approach to innovation and accountability in military technology.

Building disaster resilience

The meetings are also expected to endorse new standard operating procedures for the Asean Military Ready Group on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, part of efforts to strengthen joint disaster response.

Khaled said the framework will improve coordination when responding to floods, typhoons and other natural disasters that frequently affect member states.

He cited recent disasters in the Philippines and Vietnam caused as reminders of the need for rapid, collective response capacity across the region.

“We have built and ensured our readiness in case there is a need for Asean countries to help each other when there is a need to face various disasters,” he said.

Strengthening Asean’s voice

This year’s theme, “Asean Unity for Security and Prosperity,” underscores Malaysia’s message that peace and prosperity cannot be separated.

Khaled said Malaysia will also use the platform to reaffirm Asean’s core principles of unity, centrality, solidarity and neutrality, before handing the chairmanship over to the Philippines.

He added that more than 50 bilateral meetings will take place during the event, including Malaysia’s engagements with the United States, Brunei and the Philippines.

The ADMM-Plus, which brings together Asean’s eight dialogue partners – the United States, Russia, Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand – will mark 15 years since its inaugural meeting in 2010.

 Malay Mail – Malaysia