The National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) participated in the Track II Network of ASEAN Defence and Security Institutions (NADI) Workshop on “Strengthening ASEAN’s Capacity and Resilience in the ADMM-Plus Amid Global Geopolitical Changes” on 2-5 October 2023 at the Silk Path Grand Hue Hotel, Hue City, Viet Nam. The workshop was organized by the Institute for Defence Studies of the Ministry of National Defence of Viet Nam.

The delegation from NDCP was headed by its President, LtGen Ferdinand M Cartujano PAF (Ret) with two other delegates: Ms Marlo A Cabral, Senior Defense Research Officer, and Ms Christine Lisette M Castillo, Defense Research Officer II.

Ms Castillo delivered NDCP’s presentation which included recommendations on how the ADMM can move forward amid the ever-evolving security environment. It was recommended to promote a more purposive and intentional defense diplomacy in consideration of the presence of non-ASEAN minilateral arrangements which might affect ADMM’s role in the region. It was also recommended to elevate discussions on traditional security concerns to strengthen ASEAN as an outward-looking region. In addition, it may be apt to consider the creation of an ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on energy and environment security, given the global effects of the energy crisis.

The workshop was well attended by participants from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The NDCP, together with the Office for Strategic Studies and Strategy Management (OSSSM), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), comprise the Philippine delegation in all NADI activities.