HANOI, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The first meeting of ASEAN Chiefs of Security Agencies (MACOSA) will open on Sept. 29 in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defense Nguyen Chi Vinh said on Thursday.

Vinh said at the press conference that the first meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chiefs of security agencies, held under the theme from vision to action: enhancing security cooperation among ASEAN members toward building ASEAN Political-Security Community, will be attended by about 50 chiefs of ASEAN security agencies and observers.

MACOSA will provide a chance for ASEAN chiefs of security agencies to discuss mechanisms for security cooperation in the Southeast Asian region, said Vinh.

The main objective of the MACOSA is to hold constructive dialogues and consultations on measures for ensuring security in countries in Southeast Asia and contributing to building confidence and preventing conflicts among ASEAN members, said Vinh.

The initiative of MACOSA was first raised by Vietnam during the third ASEAN Political-Security Community Council meeting in January this year, according to Vinh.

MACOSA will be held annually, drawing together chiefs of ASEAN security agencies. At the meeting, participants will hold discussions on coping with traditional and non-traditional challenges including terrorism, transnational crimes, natural disasters, economic crisis and energy security, said Vinh.