Minister Delivers Keynote Address at Inaugural Shangri-La Dialogue Sherpa Meeting

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen delivering the Keynote Address at the Inaugural IISS Fullerton Forum: Shangri-La Dialogue Sherpa Meeting at the Fullerton Hotel.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen delivered the Keynote Address at the inaugural International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Fullerton Forum: The Shangri-La Dialogue Sherpa Meeting at the Fullerton Hotel this morning.

Addressing an audience of defence officials, senior military officers and security experts, Dr Ng outlined potential challenges to regional stability in Asia arising from fundamental shifts in the geopolitical landscape. He highlighted that the challenges included changing state-to-state dynamics due to a rebalancing of trade flows and inter-dependencies, greater polarisation and non-traditional security threats. To ensure continued regional stability, Dr Ng noted that existing regional and global frameworks would need to be refreshed to promote open and inclusive dialogue and a strong focus on practical cooperation, so that effective outcomes can be achieved. Dr Ng said, "Regional stability in Asia has brought prosperity, growth and progress to countries in this region. For this virtuous state to continue, we need better frameworks that promote open and inclusive dialogue, respect for the rule of law and a focus on delivering results."

The Sherpa Meeting, organised by the IISS, supplements and strengthens the Shangri-La Dialogue process. It provides an inter-sessional platform for delegates to engage in frank discussions on current defence and security issues. Widely recognised as a key inter-governmental regional security summit, the Shangri-La Dialogue is the only forum that brings together defence ministers, senior officials and experts from across the Asia-Pacific region for discussions on regional defence and security issues.

About 60 delegates from the states that are regularly represented at the Shangri-La Dialogue are participating in this year's Sherpa Meeting, held from 17 to 19 February 2013.