KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 — The Philippines today officially took over the chairmanship of the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus from Malaysia, with its Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr pledging to continue the region’s collective pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity.
Teodoro said Malaysia’s leadership under Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin had set a high bar for cooperation among Asean member states and their dialogue partners.
“You and your team have left big shoes to fill,” Teodoro said at the handover ceremony here.
He also commended the Malaysian delegation for steering discussions that gave member countries “plenty of food for thought.”
Teodoro said the Philippines’ upcoming chairmanship would build on Malaysia’s efforts under the theme “Asean Unity for Security and Prosperity.”
“We have gained valuable insights from our ADMM and ADMM-Plus engagements this year.
“These have informed our preparations and we have learned valuable lessons as the next chair of Asean,” he said.
Teodoro reaffirmed Manila’s commitment to work closely with fellow member states and dialogue partners to achieve shared goals for “a peaceful, stable and prosperous Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region.”
In his remarks, Khaled reflected on Malaysia’s year-long chairmanship, describing it as a collective success for the bloc.
He said Malaysia had overseen the signing and adoption of 20 key initiatives, the largest number in the history of both ADMM and ADMM-Plus, and hosted around 603 delegates from 19 nations throughout the series of meetings.
“Our cooperation has been deep, meaningful, and inspiring. Beyond the formalities of meetings, I hope all of you have also experienced the warmth, the energy, and the hospitality of Malaysia,” he said.
He stressed that Malaysia’s chairmanship was not only about policy outcomes, but also about “friendship, shared understanding, and a celebration of our Asean family.”
“The success of this year’s ADMM and ADMM-Plus is not Malaysia’s alone. It is our success — Asean’s success,” he said.
As he symbolically passed the gavel to Teodoro, Khaled expressed Malaysia’s “full and unwavering support” for the Philippines as the next chair, voicing confidence that Manila would continue to lead with dedication and unity.
“We have every confidence that the Philippines will continue to lead with the same spirit of dedication, integrity, and unity
“Let us support the Philippines’ ADMM chairmanship as one Asean, united in purpose and vision,” he said.
The handover marked the conclusion of Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship, during which Kuala Lumpur hosted the 19th ADMM and 12th ADMM-Plus, gathering defence leaders from across Southeast Asia and eight dialogue partners including the United States, China, Japan, and Australia.