Ministers Agree on Need for Continued Dialogue and Multilateral Security Cooperation

Defence Ministers, hosted by Dr. Ng Eng Hen, emphasized the importance of dialogue and multilateral cooperation to address global security challenges at the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue.

Minister for Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen hosted 24 visiting Ministers and their representatives in a Roundtable discussion today during the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD). This Ministerial Roundtable, a regular feature of the SLD, focused on pressing global security issues.

Key topics of discussion included US-China relations and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The Ministers highlighted the importance of maintaining regional and international peace and stability amid complex security challenges. They emphasized upholding the rules-based international order and building confidence through measures like the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) and the Guidelines for Air Military Encounters (GAME). Strengthening conflict prevention and resolution measures was also a priority.

Notably, both United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and China’s Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun were present at the Roundtable, underscoring the significance of multilateral dialogue in addressing global security issues.

Source – MINDEF