<p> CO-CHAIRS’ SUMMARY REPORT ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM DEFENSE OFFICIALS’ DIALOGUE NEW DELHI, INDIA, 9 NOVEMBER 2009</p><p>1. The ARF Defense Officials’ Dialogue of the ASEAN Regional Forum Inter- sessional Support Group Meeting on Confidence Building Measures and Preventive Diplomacy (ARF ISG on CBMs and PD) for the inter-sessional year 2009-2010 was held in New Delhi, India, on 9 November 2009. The Dialogue was co-chaired by Vietnam and India, and attended by all ARF participants except Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, DPRK, Russia, Sri Lanka and Timor Leste. The ASEAN Secretariat was also present. The Meeting was co- chaired by Air Vice Marshal Atul Saikia, AVSM, VM, Ministry of Defence, India and Senior Colonel Vu Tien Trong, Ministry of Defence, Vietnam. The List of Participants appears as ANNEX A.</p><p>AGENDA ITEM 1: WELCOME REMARKS</p><p>2. In his welcome remarks, Air Vice Marshal Atul Saikia highlighted that as a high-level interaction amongst the ARF defence policy officials, DOD has contributed to building confidence and fostering mutual understanding towards maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. He stressed that security challenges in the region are complex and require greater regional cooperation. The ARF has made significant progress in cooperation on non- traditional security challenges. He urged the ARF to continue to strengthen its efforts and identify issues that need urgent attention and collaboration. He emphasized that ASEAN continues to be the primary driving force in the ARF and the ASEAN way of dialogue, consultation and consensus should remain the guiding principles for the ARF. </p><p>AGENDA ITEM 2: ADOPTION OF AGENDA</p><p>3. The DoD adopted the Provisional Agenda which appears as ANNEX B.</p><p>AGENDA ITEM 3: MARITIME SECURITY</p><p>4. The DoD discussed the recent challenges in maritime security including piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the coast of Somalia as well as illegal fishing. In view of globalised trade, the DoD stressed the critical importance of securing vital sea lines of communication. The Dialogue also expressed concern on illegal migration, drug trafficking, conflict of interests related to exploitation of natural resources and protection of maritime environment. Against this background, the DoD viewed that threats to maritime security should be addressed comprehensively through international cooperation. </p><p>5. The DOD welcomed the positive developments in the improvement of security situation in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. The Dialogue noted that the primary responsibility of security lies with the littoral states. Users and</p><p>1 other stakeholders should complement the efforts of the littoral states. The meeting noted the cooperative mechanisms that have been put in place in Malacca Straits, among others the “Eyes in the Sky” initiative and the increasing roles of the international maritime organizations in reporting incidents that threaten maritime security. The DoD expressed concern at the continued piracy and armed attacks in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. The meeting noted that efforts of the existing naval presence in the Gulf of Aden including the European Union naval military operation ATALANTA have a positive impact in combating piracy. The DoD took note of the view expressed by some ARF countries that the naval build-up by some countries in the region could affect maritime security.</p><p>6. The DoD agreed that maritime security in Asia Pacific requires regional and international cooperation. The DoD welcomed the positive efforts undertaken in addressing maritime security issues in the region including the ARF Table Top Exercise in Singapore in 2007, the establishment of the ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Maritime Security (ISM on MS), and the activities under the framework of ReCAAP. </p><p>7. The DoD recommended the following measures to promote ARF cooperation on maritime security:</p><p> a) Address maritime security at a more strategic level, including the ARF- ISM on MS. b) Conduct wider information sharing and intelligence exchange. c) Promote deeper understanding among countries in the region. d) Enhance capacity building through joint trainings and exercises. e) Develop Standard Operating Procedures. </p><p>8. The Dialogue noted the call for resumption of the discussion on the Guidelines for the Implementation on the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The guidelines shall greatly contribute to the peaceful conduct among the claimant states.</p><p>9. The Dialogue noted that illegal fishing is a issue of concern in maritime security. It was agreed that the issue is complex with multiple facets and needs regional as well as international cooperation at several levels. </p><p>10. The Dialogue took note of the following country briefings:</p><p> a) Malaysia (ANNEX C ) b) Japan (ANNEX D ) c) Singapore (ANNEX E) d) EU (ANNEX F ) e) Vietnam (ANNEX G) f) Republic of Korea (ANNEX H)</p><p>2 AGENDA ITEM 4: ARMED FORCES AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT: EXPERIENCE SHARING IN COORDINATING HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND DISASTER RELIEF</p><p>11. The Dialogue shared views and experiences on the role of the armed forces in disaster relief operations. The Dialogue reiterated the vital role of the armed forces alongside the important role of civilian actors under the leadership of the civilian government in such operations. The issue of putting in place necessary legislation to enable international cooperation in carrying out the disaster relief operations was also highlighted.</p><p>12. The DoD observed that the support of host nation and respect to host nation’s sovereignty are key factors in achieving the success of the international disaster relief operations. Capacity building, speed of response, availability of funds, civil military coordination, international cooperation, interoperability, standard operating procedures and cultural awareness were identified as key factors for success in disaster relief operations. </p><p>13. The Dialogue took note of the following country briefings:</p><p> a) China (ANNEX I) b) Australia (ANNEX J) c) Philippines (ANNEX K) d) Thailand (ANNEX L ) e) New Zealand (ANNEX M)</p><p>AGENDA ITEM 5: ANY OTHER MATTERS</p><p>5.1. PROMOTING EFFECTIVENESS OF DEFENSE-SECURITY COOPERATION AMONG ARF COUNTRIES</p><p>14. The DoD recognized the key role of the ARF in promoting regional security. ARF defense cooperation has addressed various transnational non- traditional security issues including disaster relief, terrorism, maritime security and pandemics. </p><p>15. The DoD reviewed the existing regional multilateral security frameworks, the evolution of the ARF Defense Officials’ Dialogue as well as the possibility to link ARF Defense Officials’ Dialogue with the ADMM mechanism. The DoD underscored the need for strengthening the ARF to adapt to the new security environment. The DoD was informed on the progress of the ADMM Plus concept. ASEAN is now discussing configuration and composition of the ADMM’s external engagement.</p><p>16. In view of promoting effectiveness of defense cooperation, the DoD noted the importance of cooperative and multilateral information sharing to enhance understanding of transnational security threats. It was agreed that dialogue</p><p>3 should be further used to strengthen mutual understanding and build trust and confidence. It was considered that non-traditional security issues are less sensitive and more suitable for new cooperation initiatives. It was highlighted that not only discussion but exercises and practices are essential to further increase defence-security cooperation. </p><p>17. The meeting noted the proposal to extend to a full-day event with Working Groups so that the ARF Defense Officials’ Dialogue could provide time for free- flowing discussions. This proposal will be submitted to the ARF-ISG on CBMs and PD for further discussion. It was also proposed that the DOD meetings should be made more interactive and responsive to ARF-ISG and SOM and the relation between ASPC and DOD should be specified. Defence Officials’ interaction with the ISG for ARF cooperation was also discussed. </p><p>18. The Dialogue took note of the following recommendations to promote effectiveness in ARF defense cooperation:  Continue to build confidence and resolve differences through dialogue.  Strengthen cooperation in dealing with non-traditional security issues as they are less sensitive yet emerging challenges to national security.  Re-arrange the meeting of ARF Defense Officials’ Dialogue to make the dialogue more effective.</p><p>19. The Dialogue took note of the following country briefings:</p><p> a) US (ANNEX N ) b) Japan (ANNEX O) c) Vietnam (ANNEX P) </p><p>AGENDA ITEM 6: CLOSING REMARKS</p><p>20. The Dialogue expressed sincere gratitude to the Government of India for the warm hospitality and excellent arrangements made for visiting delegations. The DoD also commended Vietnam and India for their effective co-chairmanship and for the cordial and fruitful discussion. The next ARF Defense Officials’ Dialogue will be held in Vietnam in the second half of March 2010.</p><p>*****</p><p>4</p>