Defense chief Teodoro set to push PH security agenda at Seoul forum
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. (File photo: DND)
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. will represent the Philippines at the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) 2025 and the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Command (UNC) in Seoul, South Korea on Sept. 8 to 9.
Teodoro will join counterparts from Japan, South Africa, Mongolia, and Croatia, as well as vice defense ministers from eight countries and the chairman of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) military committee, as panelists in key sessions.
Teodoro will deliver remarks during the opening plenary session, themed “Mitigating Geopolitical Rivalries and Restoring Strategic Stability.”
Defense spokesperson Asst. Sec. Arsenio Andolong said the address will highlight Manila’s views on pressing regional challenges and its call for cooperation in easing tensions.
On the sidelines of the dialogue, Teodoro and senior DND officials will hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from various countries.
“These discussions will center on enhancing defense cooperation and addressing key regional and global security issues,” Andolong noted.
Launched in 2012 and hosted annually by South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, the annual forum is designed to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen regional security cooperation.
This year, more than 1,000 participants from 68 countries and international organizations are expected to attend, according to Seoul’s defense ministry.
The forum will be held under the theme “Confronting Geopolitical Challenges: Building Peace through Cooperation.”