World

ARF defence officials meet in Seoul on maritime security

Defence officials from members of the ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia’s largest security grouping led by ASEAN, met in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, on May 2 to discuss regional security issues.
ARF defence officials meet in Seoul on maritime security ảnh 1Defence officials from members of the ASEAN Regional Forum, meet in Seoul on May 2 to discuss regional security issues. (Photo: Yonhap)

Seoul (VNA) – Defence officialsfrom members of the ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia’s largest security grouping ledby ASEAN, met in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, on May 2 to discuss regionalsecurity issues.

The event, which is an annualmeeting of the ARF Defence Officials' Dialogue, was co-hosted by the RoK andThailand.  

The officials discussed measuresto strengthen maritime security capabilities in a coordinated manner and tobuild trust among them.

They also shared experience onhumanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and explored ways to cooperate inthose fields.

The ARF, formed in 1994, gathers10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), thebloc’s 10 dialogue partners - the EU, Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan,New Zealand, the RoK, Russia and the US - along with Papua New Guinea, theDemocratic People’s Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan, Timor Leste,Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.-VNA   
VNA
#ASEAN Regional Forum #Defence officials #ARF Defence Officials' Dialogue #maritime security capabilities #humanitarian assistance #disaster relief #ASEAN #10 dialogue partners #Vietnam News Agency #Vietnamplus ASEAN
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

See more

Thailand announces referendum results on constitutional amendment (Photo: eastasiaforum.org)

Thailand announces results of constitutional amendment referendum

Official results released by the EC and signed by EC Chairman Narong Klanwarin show that a majority of Thai voters (58.64%) supported the amendment of the current Constitution. Meanwhile, 30.46% voted against, 8.34% cast blank ballots, and 2.56% of the votes were invalid.

Illustrative photo: Internet

Guangxi strengthens ASEAN – China trade connectivity

China has remained ASEAN’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive years, while ASEAN has held the position as China’s top trading partner for the past six years. Guangxi, the only Chinese region linked to ASEAN by both land and sea, plays a strategic role in connecting the two markets.

Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Johari Abdul Ghani (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia boosts exports to CPTPP member countries

Through the CPTPP, exporters can access non-traditional markets such as Canada, Mexico and Peru and, for the first time, gain preferential access to the UK market, which had previously been subject to regular tariffs, said a Malaysian official.

Young Lao ethnic women splash water to pray for good fortune during the traditional water-splashing New Year festival. (Photo: VNA)

Laos accelerates UNESCO nominations for cultural heritage

The Lao government will seek inscription of several traditions on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, including Larb, the Sou Khuan ceremony, Pu Yer – Ya Yer, Lao New Year (Bun Pi Mai Lao), and Khao Tom–Khao Lam. It will also pursue World Heritage status for Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, the Plain of Jars in Houaphanh Province, and That Ing Hang.

Vietnam attends Cambodia–ASEAN Business Summit 2026

Vietnam attends Cambodia–ASEAN Business Summit 2026

Themed “Transforming ASEAN Transformation: Innovation, Integration and Industrial Evolution,” the event aimed to promote economic growth, deepen regional integration, and advance sustainable development in Cambodia and across ASEAN, underscoring the bloc’s strong commitment to innovation-driven growth and fostering regional competitiveness.

Malaysia's National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at Menara 2 MCMC, Cyberjaya. (Photo: Straits Times)

Malaysia steps up fight against online financial scams

Since its establishment, the National Scam Response Centre of Malaysia has prevented more than 34.05 million MYR (8.5 million USD) from falling into the hands of scam syndicates. The amount returned to victims rose significantly from 508,479 MYR in 2024 to 6.65 million MYR in 2025.

Singapore prioritises climate change response initiatives

Singapore prioritises climate change response initiatives

In an increasingly volatile world, a Singaporean official stressed the need to prioritise building a climate-ready Singapore now, and prepare infrastructure, businesses and people today to be resilient in a climate-impaired future.

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (right) and RoK President Lee Jae Myung at their joint press conference in Manila (Photo: Yonhap/VNA)

Philippines, RoK pledge to maximise bilateral FTA advantages

The Philippines and the Republic of Korea acknowledged ongoing efforts to advance bilateral trade and investment, while expressing their shared determination to fully realise the potential of the Philippines–RoK Free Trade Agreement for the benefit of their people.

Illustrative photo (Photo: 123RF)

Thailand records over 7,300 fraud complaints in one week

Assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej who is also ACSC deputy director, said that the centre’s online reporting system logged 7,344 complaints between February 22 and 28, up 611 cases compared to the previous week. Total financial damage during the period amounted to 440.7 million THB.

Singapore: Workers can be "bilingual" in AI and their own areas of expertise to solve problems in their domains., said Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo. (Photo: straitstimes.com)

Singapore to train 100,000 AI-savvy workers by 2029

This ambition will be realised through the new National AI Impact Programme (NAIIP), which aims to train some 100,000 workers to be AI-savvy by 2029. Over the next three years, about 10,000 enterprises will also be equipped with AI capabilities.

Two Indonesian oil tankers stranded in Persian Gulf

Two Indonesian oil tankers stranded in Persian Gulf

PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) currently has four vessels operating in the Middle East region. Of these, two vessels – Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro – remain in the gulf. The other two have been relocated to relatively safer positions.

Sounthone Xayachak, Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, Vice President of the National Assembly of Laos (Photo: VNA)

Laos announces results of 10th National Assembly election

Speaking at the press briefing, Sounthone Xayachak, Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, Vice President of the National Assembly of Laos said that a total of 175 candidates were elected as deputies to the 10th National Assembly across 18 constituencies nationwide. Among them, 52 are women, accounting for 29.71% of the total number of deputies.

An offshore oil refinery facility off the coast of Singapore. (Photo: Reuters)

Singapore to invest 630 million USD in emission reduction

The investment will be made under the Decarbonisation Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) Grand Challenge (DGC). It aims to support research, innovation and translation efforts for low-carbon energy generation and industrial process decarbonisation technologies for the industry and power sectors.

Thatluang festival in Vientiane, Laos (Photo: VNA)

Laos meets UN criteria for graduation from least developed country status

A resolution by United Nations acknowledging Laos’ eligibility for graduating from the group of least developed countries (LDCs) in 2026 reflects international recognition of the country’s sustained efforts and achievements over the past five decades under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP).