Cambodia Chairs Inaugural ADEIC Meeting as ASEAN Defence Education Initiative Bears Fruit

Phnom Penh, November 6, 2026: Cambodia has chaired the first meeting of the ASEAN Defence Educational Institutions' Collaboration (ADEIC), an initiative it proposed and that was adopted by ASEAN defence ministers in 2022, bringing the framework into operational life.

The meeting took place from Nov. 5 to 6, 2026, at the Prince Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap province, organised by the General Department of Policy and Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of National Defence through its ASEAN Affairs Department, in cooperation with the National Defence University.

Military education institutions, national defence universities and related bodies from ASEAN member states attended, along with representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat.


H.E. General Nem Sowath, Director-General of the General Department of Policy and Foreign Affairs and Cambodia's ADSOM Leader, presided over the opening ceremony as the high representative of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence H.E. General Tea Seiha.

He said the 2022 ADEIC Concept Paper and the 2025 Rules of Procedure created a strong foundation for turning ministerial commitments into concrete cooperation, strengthening military professional education, institutional ties and confidence-building among member states.

He stressed that joint efforts would help develop ADEIC into an inclusive and sustainable platform that strengthens military capability, reinforces ASEAN unity and safeguards regional peace and stability.

The Siem Reap meeting follows Cambodia's successful hosting of three ADEIC workshops, underscoring the Kingdom's role in driving the initiative from concept to practice.

Reported by The Khmer Daily Network