Ministers Agree on Need for Continued Dialogue and Multilateral Security Cooperation

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosting Ministers and their representatives to a Ministerial Roundtable during the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted 24 visiting Ministers and their representatives to a Roundtable discussion today, in conjunction with the 21st Shangri La Dialogue (SLD). The Ministerial Roundtable is a regular feature of the SLD.

The Ministers discussed a wide range of issues, including US-China relations, as well as the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Given the complex security challenges around the world today, the Ministers reaffirmed the importance of maintaining regional and international peace and stability. This includes through upholding the rules-based international order, building confidence through the practice of confidence building measures such as the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) and the Guidelines for Air Military Encounters (GAME), and strengthening conflict prevention and resolution measures. Notably, both the United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and China Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun were present at the Roundtable.