Singapore is hosting the fifth edition of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Fullerton Forum: The Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) Sherpa Meeting from 22 to 24 January 2017.  Malaysian Minister for Defence Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein is the keynote speaker this year and the first foreign defence minister to speak at the Sherpa Meeting since its establishment in 2013. Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana will also deliver a special address at the delegates' dinner later today. Over 70 delegates from 22 countries regularly represented at the SLD are participating in this year's Sherpa Meeting.  

Addressing an audience of defence officials, senior military officers and academics, Dato' Seri Hishammuddin spoke about five security challenges confronting the Asia-Pacific: the rise of populism and the retreat of globalisation; the continuing threat of ISIS; humanitarian crises; cyber-related threats and fake news; and environmental degradation and climate change. To tackle these challenges, he encouraged countries to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, renew counter-terrorism efforts, implement stronger cyber security policies, and be ready to adopt sub-regional solutions to security challenges, such as the Sulu Sea Patrols between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. He emphasised that when faced with challenges in the region, countries will need "to be resolute…unified and honest with each other."

This year's Sherpa Meeting will discuss the stabilisation of major power relations in the Asia-Pacific, prospects for conflict management in the Asia-Pacific region and need for cooperation to address emerging security threats such as cybersecurity and terrorism. The previous editions of the Sherpa Meeting have successfully facilitated cooperation and discussions between key Asia-Pacific countries on pertinent security topics.

The Sherpa Meeting, organised by the IISS, strengthens the SLD by providing an inter-sessional platform for delegates to engage in frank discussions on current defence and security issues. Widely recognised as Asia-Pacific's foremost defence and security summit, the SLD brings together defence ministers, senior officials and security experts to exchange views on key issues that shape the defence and security landscape of the region.

As part of his visit, Dato' Seri Hishammuddin will be hosted to dinner by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen this evening and call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana tomorrow. Secretary Lorenzana will also call on Prime Minister Lee and Dr Ng tomorrow.