US Secretary of Defense Hagel discusses multilateral collaboration with ASEAN defense ministers

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal | U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel talks about Association of Southeast Asian Nations future collaboration and the rebalance of the Asia Pacific region during the U.S. ASEAN Defense Forum at the Kahala Hotel April 3, 2014, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Secretary Hagel will meet with 13 Pacific nations representing 30 percent of the global economy in support of future ASEAN collaboration. This ASEAN Defense Forum was the first of its kind to take place in the U.S. and focused on ways to strengthen multilateral security cooperation and the building of more robust partnerships between military and civilian agencies to improve humanitarian and disaster relief efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal)  

HONOLULU, HI, UNITED STATES

04.03.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal 

DMA Pacific - Hawaii Media Bureau   

HONOLULU, Hawaii – U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel met with Association of Southeast Asian Nations defense ministers to discuss ways to improve future collaboration and cooperation during the U.S. hosted ASEAN Defense Forum at the Kahala Hotel April 3, 2014.

The forum was a part of an Asia Pacific trip where Secretary Hagel will visit 13 nations that include China, Japan and Mongolia to re-affirm the rebalance throughout the region. These nations represent 30 percent of the global economy.

The goal of the forum was to build closer ties with the ASEAN and improve defense cooperation. The discussions focused on multilateral security and humanitarian disaster relief cooperation between the U.S. and the ASEAN.

“Natural disasters and humanitarian crises will be defining security challenges of the 21st century not only for Southeast Asia, but for the world,” Secretary Hagel said. “We can expect that the frequency and the complexity of disaster relief and humanitarian assistance missions will increase. These missions demand cooperation between nations.”

Secretary Hagel emphasized that the U.S. is a supporting player in the region, helping to provide a foundation for further economic growth in the Asia Pacific region.

“America has a longstanding engagement and commitment in the Pacific region,” Secretary Hagel said. “It’s a commitment that we will continue to meet in the 21st century.”

• Date Taken: 04.03.2014
• Date Posted: 04.03.2014 23:24
• Story ID: 124183
• Location: HONOLULU, HI, US