To re-emphasise ASEAN's firm resolution to strengthen the ASEAN Navies' engagements through existing tools and mechanisms as well as discussing new initiatives through a forward-looking and proactive approach for the region's peaceful environment was among the objectives of the 15th ASEAN Navy Chiefs' Meeting, ANCM. Conducted virtually, the meeting was held at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.
The meeting was chaired by First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Spry bin Haji Serudi @ Haji Seruji, Commander of Royal Brunei Navy and attended by Navy Commanders from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam as well as the Lao People's Army, with the support from the Information Fusion Centre in Singapore as the ANCM's Permanent Secretariat. The theme for the meeting is the same as ASEAN's theme for this year, 'We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper'.
At the meeting, the navy commanders exchanged views on the the regional maritime security and shared the outcomes and progress of various initiatives in the maritime field as well as the forecasted ASEAN Navies activities. The meeting is an annual activity hosted on a rotational basis by ASEAN Navies with a common goal to enhance naval cooperation and inter-operability to maintain security and stability in the region and strengthen existing ties between all ASEAN Navies through defence diplomacy. This year is the second time the ANCM is convened virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Radio Television Brunei