Fostering Indo-Pacific Stability: Highlights from the 17th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting

Last November 15 to 16, 2023, defense ministers from ASEAN countries gathered for the 17th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in Indonesia. This year, Indonesia hosted the meeting, taking over from Cambodia who chaired the event last year. During the gathering, Indonesia’s Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto emphasized the crucial need to uphold stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Quoted from Tempo.co, he pointed out that nations in the Indo-Pacific area should be aware that this region is a strategic positioning for conflicts involving two influential nations, China and the US. He then highlighted the wide range of conflict threats, including non-traditional forms such as cyber threats, transnational crimes, and humanitarian crises.

For this reason, Prabowo emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. He believes that collaboration and active advocacy for peace and security with neighboring Indo-Pacific countries are essential for ensuring “economic prosperity and social advancement.” Additionally, this strategy could equip ASEAN nations to address potential threats in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Without peace and stability, it is impossible to attract investment, promote trade, and ensure the well-being of our peoples and societies,” Subianto told ASEAN defense ministers at the 17th ADMM, as reported by China Daily.

Before being discussed at the 17th ADMM, Indonesia had already prioritized ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific as a key focus of its chairmanship, forming one of the three main pillars. According to Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, the concept of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) was developed during the 34th ASEAN Summit in 2019 in response to the geopolitical conditions and challenges faced by countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The AOIP concept has gained relevance in recent years due to global conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war and escalating tensions between the US and China.

Moreover, the director of ASEAN External Cooperation, Chery Sidharta highlighted the crucial aims of AOIP during the preparations for the 43rd ASEAN Summit. These include enhancing ASEAN’s role in maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific and contributing to regional prosperity.

“ASEAN embraces major powers to cooperate in the Indo-Pacific region through the key principles of the AOIP, including strengthening ASEAN centrality, openness, inclusivity, transparency, non-intervention, and respect for international law,” said Chery, as quoted from Kemlu.go.id.

In addition to discussing defense and security in ASEAN, the two-day meetings explored issues surrounding conflicts in Myanmar, Russia-Ukraine, and the ongoing situation in the Middle East. The Indo-Pacific topic itself gained prominence due to the escalating tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea.

After the 17th ADMM, a meeting centered around the theme ‘Peace, Prosperity, and Security’ achieved consensus on eight documents, which include:

• A concept paper implementing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) from a defense perspective
• A concept paper harmonizing ADMM and ADMM-Plus Initiatives
• A discussion paper on using military assets to support the region’s food security
• The ADMM Work Program for the 2023-2026 Period
• Guidelines for implementing observer status granted to Timor-Leste for ADMM, ADMM-Plus, and related meetings
• A draft revision of ASEAN Our Eyes standard operational procedures
• The ADMM-Plus joint statement on women, peace, and security

Looking ahead, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is set to chair the 18th ADMM and the 11th ADMM-Plus meeting next year.