Singapore to host 19th Shangri-La Dialogue from Friday

SINGAPORE - Singapore will host the three-day 19th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), a defence and security conference, that will begin on Friday (June 10) with 42 countries in attendance, according to the republic’s Ministry of Defence (Mindef).

Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida will deliver this year’s Keynote Address on the first day (June 10), said the ministry in a statement issued here today.

The republic’s Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, meanwhile, will speak at the seventh plenary session on the final day (June 12), on the topic "New Ideas for Securing Regional Stability”.

"As a regular feature of the SLD, Dr Ng will host visiting Ministers to Roundtable discussions on June 11 and 12. Dr Ng will also conduct bilateral meetings with Ministers and senior officials from various countries on the sidelines of the SLD,” said the ministry.

Organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), SLD would also see in attendance of 37 Ministerial-level delegates and more than 30 senior defence officials including Chief of Defence Forces as well as prominent academics.

Singapore President Halimah Yacob would host delegates to a dinner at the Istana on Saturday (June 11).

The SLD was established in 2002, and serves as the premier defence and security conference in the Asia-Pacific region.

Over the years, the SLD has provided a valuable, open, and neutral platform for the exchange of perspectives on defence and security issues and initiatives.

The 19th SLD also marks the resumption of SLD following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Mindef. - BERNAMA