US defence chief vows to reinforce security ties with ASEAN
US Secretary of Defense James Mattis has affirmed the country’s policy on strengthening security ties with member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
US Secretary of Defense James Mattis (second, left) in a group photo with ASEAN defence ministers (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – US Secretary of Defense James Mattis has affirmedthe country’s policy on strengthening security ties with member states of theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
On the sidelines of the 17th Asia Security Summit inSingapore, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, which officially opened inSingapore on June 1, Mattis and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong alsoreconfirmed the importance of US engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.
During his separate talks with defence chiefs of the ASEAN nations,Mattis expressed readiness to promote the "Free and Open Indo-PacificStrategy," which is upheld by US President Donald Trump's administration.
The concept is aimed at ensuring stability from East Asia to Africathrough cooperation with countries that share values such as freedom ofnavigation and the rule of law.
Mattis is scheduled to deliver a speech about security in theIndo-Pacific region at the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 2.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, sponsored by the International Institute forStrategic Studies, has been organised annually in Singapore since 2002.
Defense officials from around 40 countries, including the US and thosein Asia and Europe, are participating in this year’s meeting that is scheduledto end on June 3.-VNA
The Shangri-La Dialogue 2018 is set to last from June 1-3 in Singapore with the participation of defence ministers and officials from 50 countries worldwide and representatives from international organisations.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong had talks on June 1, agreeing to deepen bilateral economic ties and build on defence cooperation as they called for a peaceful, open, and friendly maritime environment in the Indo-Pacific region.
The 17th Shangri-La Dialogue opened in Singapore on June 1, gathering over 500 senior defence officials and scholars from more than 50 countries and territories.
Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Ngo Xuan Lich had bilateral meetings with defence officials of New Zealand, the UK and Singapore on June 1 on the sidelines of the 17th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
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Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
US Secretary of Defense James Mattis (second, left) in a group photo with ASEAN defence ministers (Photo: VNA) 
