GEORGE TOWN, February 27 – The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Retreat 2025 (ADMM Retreat 2025) was officially presided over by Malaysia’s Minister of Defence, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, at the Shangri-La Hotel, Penang. This annual gathering brought together Defence Ministers from all 10 ASEAN Member States, alongside Timor-Leste, to discuss pressing regional security challenges and strengthen cooperation in the defence sector.
The meeting also marked Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN 2025 under the theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability. The retreat focused on five key areas: artificial intelligence (AI) in defence, enhanced coordination for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), cybersecurity capacity building, bolstering regional defence industry cooperation, and reinforcing ASEAN’s centrality in maritime security.
Complementing the ministerial retreat, the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials Meeting Working Group (ADSOM WG) also convened to facilitate discussions and prepare a framework for the upcoming ADMM-Plus engagements. Malaysia aims to use its leadership role to drive investment in the local defence sector and promote regional stability. Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin emphasized the importance of ASEAN unity in addressing modern security threats, particularly those posed by emerging technologies and geopolitical shifts.
With ADMM 2025 and ADSOM 2025 scheduled later this year, the retreat laid the groundwork for deeper collaboration among ASEAN nations and its global partners. Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ADMM-Plus further reinforces its commitment to ensuring a stable, prosperous, and resilient ASEAN in an evolving global landscape.
