Southeast Asian ministers touch down in Laos for defense meet

VIENTIANE - Regional approaches to natural and man-made disasters, climate change, trafficking, terrorism and other security challenges are among issues expected to be considered as ministers of 10 Southeast Asian nations gathered on Tuesday.

Bilateral meetings between representatives of member states were held in the Lao capital ahead of commencement of 10th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) on Wednesday.

The ADMM is set to issue a joint declaration on Wednesday ahead of informal meetings with a high-ranking delegation from regional dialogue partner China with whom the association is celebrating 25th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue partnership in 2016.

The 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting is one of the summits hosted by Laos as per its 2016 chairmanship of the ASEAN grouping.