Reconnecting at the 16th ASEAN Navy Chiefs Meeting

Chief of Navy (CNV) RADM Aaron Beng met with his counterparts from ASEAN countries for the 16th ASEAN Navy Chiefs' Meeting (ANCM) on 22 Aug 2022. The in-person meeting in Bali follows two iterations of ANCM where the navy chiefs had met virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ANCM has served as a valuable platform for dialogues and exchanges to strengthen the foundations of trust and mutual understanding among ASEAN navies over the years.  

Hosted by the Indonesian Navy, the leaders discussed on "The Role of ASEAN Navies in Addressing Maritime Challenges." RADM Beng highlighted the various mechanisms put in place by ASEAN navies for practical cooperation, such as information-sharing, dialogues, and naval exercises, and how they have enabled ASEAN navies to address maritime security challenges. However, he also reminded his fellow colleagues that it was important for ASEAN navies to remain nimble and be ready to evolve our frameworks in order to stay our relevant.

In his Viewpoint Exchange at the 16th ANCM, RADM Beng described the theme of "The Role of ASEAN Navies in Addressing Maritime Challenges" as apt because our navies in the region will need to continue to guard against evergreen challenges, even as the security environment evolved.

RADM Beng highlighted that the common thread across our navies' security challenges is the interconnected nature of the regional maritime domain. Maritime challenges are typically transboundary by nature; resolving these challenges in an effective manner will therefore require transnational cooperation. He added that dialogues at meetings, such as ANCM, will hold ASEAN navies in good stead.

A light moment between RADM Beng and Indonesian Navy Chief of Navy ADM Yudo Margono (right) during the ANCM. The Indonesian Navy currently holds the chair for ANCM and is the host for the 16th ANCM.