Emerging leaders from ASEAN and partner countries joined high-level security discussions, networking sessions and exclusive engagements at the 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Singapore, June 2026 – Young leaders from all 11 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and several countries of strategic importance to the region participated in the 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue through the prestigious Young Leaders’ Programme, bringing fresh perspectives to discussions on regional and global security challenges.
Held alongside the annual IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore from 29–31 May 2026, the programme provided participants with an opportunity to engage directly with policymakers, defence officials, academics, business leaders and security experts from around the world.
Established in 2016 by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the Young Leaders’ Programme is designed to cultivate the next generation of strategic thinkers and decision-makers from Southeast Asia and beyond. The initiative encourages dialogue, collaboration and networking among emerging leaders while exposing them to high-level discussions on complex security and geopolitical issues.
Participants were drawn from government institutions, think tanks, academia, business organisations and the media. Throughout the Dialogue, they attended plenary and special sessions, participated in dedicated seminars and joined exclusive networking events with senior officials and industry leaders.
The programme officially began on the evening of 28 May, ahead of the main summit, allowing participants to engage in focused discussions on pressing regional security concerns and emerging policy challenges.
Organisers said the programme aims to strengthen regional understanding and cooperation by connecting future leaders with established decision-makers and providing a platform for the exchange of ideas on issues affecting the Asia-Pacific and wider international community.
The Young Leaders’ Programme has become an important component of the Shangri-La Dialogue, reflecting the growing recognition of youth engagement in shaping future security policies and regional cooperation frameworks.
Highlights from previous editions of the programme have included roundtable discussions on emerging technologies, transnational security cooperation, defence partnerships, regional security architecture and strategic developments across the Asia-Pacific.
Past participants have also engaged directly with prominent international figures, including Timor-Leste President Dr José Ramos-Horta, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa, Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command Admiral Samuel Paparo and Australian Department of Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty.
As geopolitical and security challenges continue to evolve, the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue Young Leaders’ Programme remains a key platform for preparing future leaders to contribute to regional stability, international cooperation and informed policy development.
By bringing together diverse voices from across Southeast Asia and beyond, the programme seeks to foster long-term networks and encourage innovative approaches to addressing shared security challenges in the years ahead.
Source and Photos Credit: IISS
