The Philippines, through the Department of National Defense (DND), will host the 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) on October 28–29, 2026, in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, as part of its 2026 ASEAN Chairship under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together.”
As Chair of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus for 2026, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. will lead discussions to advance regional defense dialogue and strengthen cooperation among ASEAN Member States and Plus Dialogue Partners.
He is also scheduled to hold meetings with his counterparts to discuss bilateral defense cooperation and matters of mutual interest.
Established in 2006, the ADMM serves as ASEAN’s highest defense consultative and cooperative mechanism.
Meanwhile, the ADMM-Plus, launched in 2010, expands regional defense dialogue and cooperation between ASEAN Member States and eight Plus Countries.
The Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship prioritizes regional peace and security, practical defense cooperation, and collective action to address shared challenges, with Peace and Security Anchors among the three strategic priorities, alongside Prosperity Corridors and People Empowerment.
Proposed outcome documents for the meetings include Joint Statements, subject to finalization and required consensus among participating parties.
The meetings also coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, signed in 1976, which upholds respect for sovereignty, non-interference, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Through its 2026 ASEAN Chairship, the Philippines seeks to strengthen regional partnerships, sustain meaningful dialogue, and advance practical defense cooperation in support of a peaceful, secure, and stable Indo-Pacific region. (PR)
