Ong Ye Kung: 'Expanded Toolkit' Required to Address Security Challenges

Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung delivering the Special Address at the 6th International Institute for Strategic Studies Fullerton Forum: The Shangri-La Dialogue Sherpa Meeting on 29 January 2018.

Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung delivered a special address at the dinner reception of the 6th edition of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Fullerton Forum: The Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) Sherpa Meeting earlier this evening. Addressing an audience of defence officials, senior military officers and academics, Mr Ong emphasised the important role of the SLD Sherpa Meeting in facilitating fruitful discussions at the annual SLD.

During his address, Mr Ong outlined four major challenges that threatened to disrupt Asia-Pacific's progress: developments in the Korean Peninsula, the rise of terrorism, the deliberate spread of online falsehoods, and the retreat of globalisation and the increase in states' protectionist tendencies. Mr Ong called upon countries to have an "expanded toolkit of solutions" that went beyond effective military defences.

Mr Ong also highlighted the importance for ASEAN to remain relevant and constructive in contributing to global peace and stability, beyond participation in economic integration and free trade initiatives. He said, "ASEAN's contribution is not in trying to be a regional power, but by maintaining its neutrality and centrality, to keep the regional security architecture open and inclusive, and providing a natural platform for major powers to engage each other."

Organised by the IISS, the Sherpa Meeting strengthens the SLD by providing an inter-sessional platform for delegates to engage in frank discussions on current defence and security issues. Hosted in Singapore since 2013, this year's SLD Sherpa Meeting is held from 28 to 30 January 2018, with the Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Song Youngmoo as the keynote speaker. Approximately 75 delegates from countries regularly represented at the SLD are participating in this year's meeting. 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.

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Special Address by Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung at the Dinner Reception for the 6th International Institute of Strategic Studies Fullerton Forum: the Shangri-La Dialogue Sherpa Meeting