The 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's flagship security summit, commenced in Singapore on Friday with delegates from 47 countries navigating a world reshaped by geopolitical rivalries and economic fragmentation. Over 40 ministerial-level representatives and military leaders gathered at the event organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Global Voices Take Stage
French President Emmanuel Macron set the tone in his keynote address, urging Europe-Asia collaboration to preserve multilateral frameworks. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will outline Washington's Indo-Pacific strategy on Saturday, though analysts note skepticism among regional partners about America's trade policies under former President Trump.
ASEAN's Strategic Role
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, representing ASEAN's rotating chairmanship, is expected to address leadership challenges in an era of competing blocs. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will also speak as discussions tackle topics from regional defense cooperation to ripple effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
China's Participation
A delegation from the Chinese People's Liberation Army National Defense University joined the dialogue, reflecting Beijing's engagement with regional security mechanisms. While U.S. tariff policies loom as a discussion point, organizers emphasize the forum's role in fostering pragmatic dialogue across ideological divides.
The three-day summit concludes Sunday as defense officials work to bridge differences in an increasingly multipolar world.
