Dr Archimedes H Viaje MNSA CESE, President of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), led the College’s delegation during the Track II Network of ASEAN Defence and Security Institutions (NADI) Meeting and Retreat held on 21-23 March 2022. The General Department of Policy and Foreign Affairs (GDPFA), Ministry of National Defence, Kingdom of Cambodia hosted the activities.

The NADI Meeting and Retreat covered topics such as the emerging security challenges in the next five years and the direction of future cooperation in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus. NADI participants also talked about the contemporary regional and international security environment, as well as how ASEAN can meet common security challenges.

NDCP, in particular, underscored the significance of ASEAN defence diplomacy in an evolving security environment. The College also put forward recommendations that touched on the need to review and enhance regional agreements such as ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure, Guideline for Maritime Interaction, and Guidelines for Air Military Encounters.

NDCP also pushed for more open discussions in NADI about traditional security issues, alongside non-traditional ones.

NADI is an informal, Track II grouping of defense and security organizations in Southeast Asia where participants freely discuss relevant issues in their own personal capacity. Participants in NADI activities are encouraged to talk about ideas and proposals that may be deemed too sensitive to be discussed in official, Track I meetings (among governments).