ASEAN ARMIES TO WORK TOGETHER FOR REGIONAL PEACE AND STABILITY

Each nation has an important role to play in order to combat the numerous conventional and non-conventional security threats faced by Southeast Asia, especially since the region is considered a "key battleground in the global war on terrorism", said General (GEN) Alexander B Yano, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces.

GEN Yano was speaking at the 9th ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting (ACAMM) on 'Ensuring Regional Peace and Stability Through the Collective Strength of the ASEAN Armies'.

He encouraged his audience of army chiefs and senior military officers from the 10 ASEAN nations to rise above these "emergent security challenges".

"Rather than being daunted and distressed, these security challenges have become opportunities in bringing ourselves closer together in the spirit of neighbourly cooperation," GEN Yano said.

"Our national prosperity depends on our collective regional stability; hence it is incumbent upon us to take advantage of our collective strength in order to address these same concerns."

This year's ACAMM took place from 5 to 10 Dec and was hosted by Philippine Army Chief Lieutenant General (LG) Victor S Ibrado.

Participating countries held a series of bilateral calls and a multilateral forum, where issues of national and regional security were discussed.

In a statement to the media, Singapore s Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Neo Kian Hong said ACAMM is "extremely important given the complexity of the situation in the new operating environment".

"We can learn from different countries," he said. "This gives confidence to the region."

Ever since it was first hosted in Thailand as an offshoot of the ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet in 2000, ACAMM has served as an invaluable platform for ASEAN army chiefs to learn from and work with each other.

Last hosted by Singapore in 2002, the annual event aims contribute to regional peace and stability through inter-military cooperation.

It will be hosted by Singapore again next year.