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📷: PIONEER, 2 Jun 2024. A Call for Peace at Shangri-La Dialogue.
Have you seen the MINDEF TikTok video that went viral over the weekend? It was part of a series covering the Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) from 31 May to 2 Jun. Captioned “Men in Defence”, the video featured delegates in “uniform”, “five (foot) nine (inches tall)” and with “nice eyes”. Viewers were gobsmacked by the light-hearted video.
What really is the SLD? Held by International Institute of Strategic Studies, the first SLD was launched in 2002. Since its inception, the SLD has grown from strength to strength and become the premier defence and security conference in Asia Pacific. In its 21st edition, the SLD saw the attendance of 49 Ministerial-level representatives, and more than 40 senior defence officials from 45 countries. The range of distinguished speakers include the US and Chinese defence ministers, and most notably this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise appearance at the event.
With two conflicts happening now in Europe and the Middle East and potential flashpoints in the South China Sea, these hot-button issues dominated discussions at the SLD this year.
At the event, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen said that there was strengthened resolve amongst the countries present that a conflict should not occur in Asia. One reason being that neither Asia nor the world could withstand a third geopolitical shock as it would destablise global security. The second being the lessons that countries had learnt on the cost and consequences of aggression.
Mr Zelenskyy called for international support for Ukraine and reiterated the importance of diplomacy which prevented international disputes from turning into conflicts. He acknowledged the key role that diplomacy played in helping Ukraine withstand Russia’s attacks. “Diplomacy does work when it truly aims to protect lives. Together with partners, we are defending lives and rules-based world order”, he said.
In a period of great geopolitical uncertainties, the SLD continues to provide a valuable, open and neutral platform for world leaders and defence ministers to have frank and robust discussions on the world’s most pressing security concerns.
#Singapore #ShangriLaDialogue #SLD #IISS