KUALA LUMPUR - Unity among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is key to addressing traditional and emerging security, Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin told his counterparts here on Wednesday.

In his opening remarks at the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Retreat, Mohamed Khaled said the transboundary nature of these threats and their increasing complexity and sophistication means that no one member state will be able to face these challenges alone and stressed that unity and robust regional cooperation are more crucial than ever.

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"A truly resilient ASEAN must be inclusive, ensuring that all member states are equally equipped to address security threats. At the same time, our security strategies must be sustainable, leveraging long-term, forward-thinking approaches to defense cooperation that will maintain regional stability for generations to come," he said.

He also highlighted the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters which require the bloc to further enhance its collective preparedness and response capabilities.

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"Malaysia sees the merit of strengthening our search and rescue collaboration, particularly among the militaries, not only to ensure a faster and more effective response to emergencies but also to demonstrate ASEAN's solidarity and unity in managing regional security challenges," he said.

Malaysia has assumed the bloc's rotating chairmanship for 2025.