BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Thursday, 20 May 2021 – Brunei Darussalam and Australia co-chaired the ASEAN Regional Forum Defence Officials’ Dialogue (ARF DOD), which was held virtually at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Berakas today.
During his welcoming remarks, Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’awiah, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence recognises the need to discuss the opportunities and challenges of emerging technologies that may impact the defence and security sector, to ensure that the region remains future ready against any unprecedented challenges in the digital age.
The Dialogue was co-chaired by Haji Adi Ihram bin Dato Paduka Haji Mahmud, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Strategy) at the Ministry of Defence and David Lewis, Assistant Secretary Southeast Asia, International Policy Division, at the Department of Defence, Australia. It was attended by all 24 members of the ARF as well as representatives from the ARF Unit from the ASEAN Secretariat. In addition to ASEAN member states, ARF members are comprised of Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, People’s Republic of China (PRC), Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), European Union, Republic of India, Japan, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste and the United States of America.
This year’s theme of “Emerging Technologies and Impact to Defence and Security” included two sessions. The first session looked into
Emerging Technologies in Defence Establishments during which Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, China, European Union and Japan shared on the rise of technological trends and the application of digital solutions in the military and defence sector. The following session the proceeded to look into
the Challenges and Best Practices of Emerging Technologies by which Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and India shared on the rise of varying threats in the cyber domain and how best to mitigate such vulnerabilities.
ARF DOD, which convenes annually, provides a meaningful platform for ARF defence establishments to exchange views to further strengthen confidence building within the ARF. The dialogue is hoped to contribute towards one of ARF’s premier aims of enhancing dialogue and consultation on regional political and security issues, which indirectly would help to preserve regional peace and security.
ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM DEFENCE OFFICIALS’ DIALOGUE (ARF DOD) DIADAKAN SECARA DALAM TALIAN
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Khamis, 20 Mei 2021 –
ASEAN Regional Forum Defence Officials’ Dialogue (ARF DOD) yang dipengerusikan bersama oleh Brunei Darussalam dan Australia telah diadakan pada hari ini melalui sidang video secara dalam talian, dan mengambil tempat di Pusat Persidangan Antarabangsa, Berakas.
Di dalam kata-kata aluan beliau, Yang Mulia Brigadier Jeneral (B) Dato Seri Pahlawan Shahril Anwar bin Haji Ma’awiah, Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Pertahanan menyatakan perlunya perbincangan mengenai peluang-peluang dan cabaran-cabaran berkaitan teknologi terkini yang kian berkembang
(emerging technologies). Bagi memastikan rantau ini tetap bersedia dalam menghadapi cabaran-cabaran di era digital ini, aspek teknologi perlu dititikberatkan memandangkan ia mampu memberikan impak terhadap sektor pertahanan dan keselamatan.
Dialog berkenaan telah dipengerusikan bersama oleh Haji Adi Ihram bin Dato Paduka Haji Mahmud, Timbalan Setiausaha Tetap (Dasar dan Strategi) di Kementerian Pertahanan dan David Lewis,
Assistant Secretary Southeast Asia, International Policy Division, Department of Defence, Australia. Dialog ini dihadiri oleh 24 ahli-ahli ARF dan wakil dari Unit ARF di Sekretariat ASEAN. Selain negara-negara ahli ASEAN, ahli-ahli ARF adalah Australia, Bangladesh, Kanada, Republik Rakyat China, Republik Demokratik Rakyat Korea, Kesatuan Eropah, Republik India, Jepun, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Republik Korea, Persekutuan Rusia, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste dan Amerika Syarikat.
Dengan bertemakan
“Emerging Technologies and Impact to Defence Security”, ARF DOD terbahagi kepada dua sesi: Sesi pertama dengan fokus Emerging Technologies in Defence Establishments menyaksikan Negara Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, Republik Rakyat China, Kesatuan Eropah dan Jepun mengongsikan tren kemajuan teknologi dan applikasi penyelesaian digital di dalam sektor ketenteraan dan pertahanan. Manakala sesi seterusnya berkongsi mengenai
Challenges and Best Practices of Emerging Technologies yang mana peningkatan berbagai ancaman di domain siber dan cara-cara mengurangkan ancaman berkenaan diberikan tumpuan.
ARF DOD, satu perjumpaan yang diadakan setiap tahun, menyediakan landasan pertukaran pendapat di antara institusi-institusi pertahanan negara-negara ahli ARF bagi mengukuhkan lagi pembinaan keyakinan (confidence building) di antara negara-negara ahli ARF. Platform ini juga diharapkan dapat menyumbang dalam meningkatkan dialog dan konsultasi mengenai isu-isu politik dan keselamatan serantau yang secara tidak langsung akan dapat memelihara keamanan dan keselamatan di rantau ini, yang merupakan salah satu tunggak misi ARF DOD.