(MENAFN) Defense leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their international partners emphasized the need for greater dialogue and cooperation to strengthen peace, security, and prosperity during a three-day summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus, held from Friday to Sunday, brought together defense ministers from ASEAN member states along with representatives from eight partner countries: the US, China, Russia, Australia, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand.

In a joint statement released Saturday, the leaders reaffirmed the importance of upholding international law, including the UN Charter, and highlighted the growing geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and economic challenges facing both Southeast Asia and the wider world. They stressed that these shared issues, along with emerging and transboundary threats, demand collective collaboration for peace.

The statement also recognized the “consistent and positive contributions” of dialogue partners in enhancing ASEAN members’ capacity and readiness to address current and future security challenges.

Furthermore, the defense chiefs emphasized the need to foster an environment that promotes peace, security, prosperity, and adherence to the rule of law, encouraging a culture of dialogue, regular consultations, and practical cooperation to build mutual trust and confidence among nations.

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