In his opening remarks for 9th IMSC, our Chief of Navy RADM Sean Wat shared, "As we stand at the crossroads of these evolving challenges, it is clear that our strength lies not in individual efforts, but in our shared commitment to safety and security in the maritime domain. While it is clear that much uncertainty lies ahead, it is only through collaboration, mutual respect, and collective leadership, that we will navigate these choppy waters together. I would put forth to you that the more contested the domain becomes, the more vital it is that we retain space for dialogue and cooperation – even, and especially, in times of disagreement."
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Speakers and moderators of the 9th IMSC, with our Chief of Navy RADM Wat (4th from left)
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The Heads of delegations, which consists of Navy Chiefs, Director Generals of Coast Guards, and Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies and their representatives, who attended the 9th IMSC |
The first panel spoke on the topic ''Geopolitical Developments and their Maritime Consequences". They examined the impact of current geopolitical developments on the maritime domain, and what these mean for peace, security, and rules-based order at sea.
Moderator: Professor Tommy Koh, Former President, Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III)
Panel Speakers:
Dr Rizal Sukma, Senior Fellow, Centre for Strategic and International Studies Jakarta;
Dr David M Finkelstein, Vice President and Director, Center for Naval Analyses;
Dr Wu Shicun, Chairman, Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance;
Dr Sarah Kirchberger, Academic Director, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy and Security, Kiel University
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The second panel centered their focus on the topic "Mutual Cooperation and Collaboration in Pivotal Times". This brought senior naval leaders together to talk about how shared mutual cooperation and collaboration can serve as steady anchors in pivotal times, and how trust can be deepened even amidst uncertainty.
Moderator: Professor Joseph Liow, Dean, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University
Panel Speakers:
ADM Datuk (Dr) Zulhelmy bin Ithnain, Chief of Royal Malaysian Navy;
RADM Garin Golding, Chief of Royal New Zealand Navy;
VADM Kanchana Banagoda, Commander of Sri Lanka Navy;
ADM Stephen T. Koehler, Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet | | 
The third and final panel brought our attention towards new developments, from emerging technologies to underwater infrastructure, as they discussed on the topic "New Developments in the Maritime Domain and their Impact on Contemporary Maritime Issues".
Moderator: Professor Geoffrey Till, Advisor, Maritime Security Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
Panel Speakers:
RADM Steven Waddell CMM, MSM, CD, Deputy Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy;
Leitender Polizeidirektor Nils Von Waaden, Head of Federal Police, Department for Maritime Security;
VADM Erwin S. Aldedharma, Vice Chief of the Indonesian Navy;
ADM Saito Akira, Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force |
