BY LORETTA B. MANELE
IN SINGAPORE
The 23rd International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue, also known as the Asia Security Summit, concluded in Singapore on Sunday after three days of discussions on regional and global security challenges.
Held from May 29 to 31 at the Shangri-La Hotel, the annual summit brought together defence ministers, military leaders, policymakers, academics, business representatives and media personnel from across the Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe and the Middle East.
According to the IISS, the Shangri-La Dialogue is regarded as Asia’s premier defence summit, providing a platform for leaders to debate pressing security issues and engage in bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening regional cooperation.
This year’s summit featured a range of plenary sessions focusing on key security and strategic issues affecting the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
Among the topics discussed were United States strategy for peace in the Pacific, priorities within Asia’s shifting strategic landscape, maritime security challenges, managing regional tensions amid global competition, and evolving security partnerships in an increasingly fragmented world.
Also held alongside the summit was the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue Young Leaders Programme, which brought together 40 emerging leaders from government agencies, think tanks and media organisations.
Participants in the programme attended specialised sessions and also took part in selected summit plenary discussions, where they had opportunities to hear directly from senior leaders and engage in question-and-answer sessions on regional security matters.
On Saturday evening, the young leaders attended a reception hosted at the Australian High Commissioner’s residence in Singapore.
The Young Leaders Programme has been supported by the governments of Australia and Singapore over the years.
While all summit plenary sessions were conducted on the record, discussions held under the Young Leaders Programme were conducted under off-the-record arrangements to encourage open dialogue and engagement among participants.
The annual dialogue remains one of the most influential security forums in the Asia-Pacific region, providing a platform for governments and stakeholders to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities for cooperation.
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