BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Thursday, 23 May 2013 – Brunei Darussalam today hosted the ARF Security Policy Conference (ASPC) at the Empire Hotel and Country Club, Jerudong, Brunei Darussalam. The Conference was chaired by Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Azmansham
bin Pengiran Haji Mohamad, Permanent Secretary (Defence Policy & Development), Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam.
The primary objectives of the ASPC are to further strengthen the cooperation of confidence building measures in military spheres within the framework of the ARF and the participation of defence officials in the ARF; to open new channels of dialogue and exchanges among defence officials, diplomats as well as military academicians, to further increase mutual trust and understanding among the defence officials; and to further improve and substantiate the process of the ARF and keep propelling it forward.
The Conference acknowledged the good progress has been made in defence and military cooperation among ARF members. In upholding the spirit of dialogue and consultation, the Conference had an active and constructive exchange of views on the regional and international security situation. A range of traditional and non-traditional security concerns were discussed and deliberated.
The Conference also discussed on the ways to enhance regional and international efforts towards cyber security. Several proposals were put forward, which include, among others, the sharing of best-practices, the conduct of professional exchanges and education on cyber security, as well as streamlining efforts in enhancing cyber security between different policy areas.
The ARF member countries include Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, United States, and Viet Nam.