BANGKOK, THAILAND, 26 - 28 August 2014 - The 8th ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting (8th ANCM) was held at the Hilton Millennium Hotel Bangkok, Thailand.
With the theme “ASEAN Underway: ASEAN Navies After 2015”, the meeting was officially launched on 27th August 2014.
This year’s meeting objective is to seek way ahead, to enhance cooperation in facing the maritime security challenges. Brunei Darussalam was represented by the Commander of Royal Brunei Navy, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit.
The 8th ANCM was also attended by Admiral Narong Pipatanasai, Commander-In-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy as the Chair of the meeting; Admiral Tea Vinh, Commander of Royal Cambodian Navy; Vice Admiral Didit Herdiawan, the Vice Chief of the Indonesian Navy representing the Chief of the Indonesian Navy; Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz bin Jaafar, Chief of Navy of the Royal Malaysian Navy; Admiral Thura Thet Swe, Commander-In-Chief of the Republic of Myanmar Navy; Vice Admiral Jesus Millan, Flag Officer In Command of the Philippine Navy; Rear Admiral Lai Chung Han, Chief of Navy of the Republic of Singapore Navy and Admiral Nguyen Van Hien, Deputy Minister of the National Defence of Vietnam and Commander-In-Chief of the Vietnam People’s Navy.
Prior to their meeting, the Chiefs of Navies and the representatives made a joint call with the Chief of Defence Force of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, General Tanasak Patimapragorn. The Chief of Defence Force of the Royal Thai Armed Forces delivered the keynote address during the official launch of the meeting; in his speech he reiterated the importance of enhancing mutual trust and practical cooperation within the region to maintain regional security and ANCM will serve as one of the working mechanisms.
During the meeting, the Chiefs of Navies exchanged views on the roles of the ASEAN Navies in promoting cooperation within the region in line with the ASEAN Integration 2015 and beyond. The exchange of views highlighted the sharing of ideas on how the long established friendship could be further strengthened with the conduct of activities that will enhance practical cooperation and mutual trust at multiple levels. The agenda is also covering new initiatives as well as consensus on the conduct of future meetings.
The meeting welcomed the hosting of the 9th ANCM in 2015 by the Myanmar Navy.