High-Level PH Delegation Participates in 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore
The 20th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier defense and security conference, took place from 02 to 04 June 2023 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. (Photo courtesy of IISS)
SINGAPORE, 06 June 2023 – A high-level Philippine delegation, composed of Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Officer-in-Charge of the Department of National Defense; General Andres Centino, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; Senator Loren Legarda, Senate President Pro Tempore; and Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo Macaraig, participates in the 20th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier defense and security conference, took place from 02 to 04 June 2023 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore.
Members of the Philippine delegation held bilateral meetings with foreign counterparts and senior officials, and spoke at the following sessions at the Shangri-La Dialogue:
- Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Officer-in-Charge, Department of National Defense, at the Second Plenary Session: Building a Stable and Balanced Asia-Pacific;
- General Andres C. Centino, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, at Special Session 2: Challenges of Asia-Pacific Military Capability Development; and
- Senator Loren Legarda, Senate President Pro Tempore, at Special Session 4: Balancing Asia-Pacific Minilateralism and ASEAN Centrality.
Now in its 20th year, the Shangri-La Dialogue provides an avenue for defense ministers and other world leaders to discuss the region’s most pressing security challenges and engage in bilateral talks to address common concerns.
Organized by the IISS, this year's edition will see 41 countries in attendance, with 48 Ministerial-level delegates and more than 35 senior defense officials, as well as prominent academics.
Moreover, General Andres C. Centino, PA, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, delivered his remarks at the Special Session on “Challenges of Asia-Pacific Military Capability Development” at the 20th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue on 02 June 2023.
In his remarks, General Centino mentioned that as a result of significant developments in the external security environment, the modernization priorities of the Philippines have shifted to “recalibrate the focus of the Armed Forces of the Philippines towards external defense, particularly on maritime security and fast-developing technological advancements”. He also underscored the importance of state partnerships with allies and security and partners in the region to maintain a stable and secure Asia-Pacific region.
Aside from the Philippine Armed Forces Chief of Staff, the following leaders spoke at the said Special Session: General Angus Campbell, Chief of the Defence Force, Australia; General Yoshida Yoshihide, Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, Japan Self-Defense Forces; and Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant, US Coast Guard. The session was moderated by Dr Euan Graham, Shangri-La Dialogue Senior Fellow for Indo-Pacific Defence and Strategy.
Furthermore, Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Officer-in-Charge of the Department of National Defense and Head of the Philippine Delegation to the 20th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, shared the Philippines’ perspectives on “Building a Stable and Balanced Asia-Pacific” at a Plenary Session on 03 June 2023.
In his remarks, the Philippine defense chief expressed that upholding the rule of law and the continued pursuit of dialogue and multilateralism, amid diversities, contribute to ensuring a peaceful and stable Asia Pacific. He also reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to diplomacy and dialogue to build the resilience of the region as a whole.
Joining Senior Undersecretary Galvez Jr. at the Plenary Session were UK Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace; and Canadian Minister of National Defence Anita Anand.
In addition, Senator Loren Legarda, a four-term Senator of the Philippines and currently the Senate President Pro Tempore, in a speech during the Special Session on “Balancing Asia-Pacific Minilateralism and ASEAN Centrality” of the 20th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue, underscored that minilateral cooperation can be viewed as an arrangement that can complement and supplement ASEAN regional initiatives, and that it must not, and will not diminish the significant role of ASEAN in the region.
Senator Legarda also expressed that through ASEAN-led institutions, ASEAN has helped shape the balance of power and paved the way in maintaining regional peace, security and stability. She noted ASEAN’s significant role in forging cooperation in many key areas such as food and energy security, economic recovery, transnational crime and protection of migrant workers. The Senator emphasized that ASEAN must be engaged and involved in discussions as it continues to play its centrality role.
Senator Legarda was joined in the special session, held at the Shangri-La Hotel on 03 June 2023 by her fellow government leaders and foreign policy practitioners, namely, Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN; Secretary Jan Adams, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia; Pornpimol Kanchanalak, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thailand; Ms. Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Minister of State, Indo-Pacific, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UK; Sidharto R Suryodipuro, Chair, ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting; and Director General, ASEAN Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia.
Also, in recognition of common interests in deepening bilateral cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), the Philippines and Singapore signed on 02 June 2023 the Arrangement between the Department of National Defense of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Defence of Singapore Concerning the Conduct of Education, Training Assistance and Support Activities on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.
The Arrangement was signed by Assistant Secretary Pablo M. Lorenzo, Office of Strategic Assessments and International Affairs, DND and Deputy Secretary for Policy, Brigadier General Kelvin Fan, Ministry of Defence at the sidelines of the 20th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue, took place in Singapore from 02 to 04 June 2023. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Officer-in-Charge, Department of National Defense and Minister for Defense of Singapore, Dr. Ng Eng Hen.
A bilateral meeting between Senior Undersecretary Galvez Jr and Minister Ng preceded the signing ceremony.
Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo G. Macaraig was present during the bilateral meeting and also witnessed the signing ceremony of the Arrangement on HADR.
Finally, Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo G. Macaraig hosted a dinner reception for the Philippine delegates to the just concluded 20th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue on 04 June 2023 at the Official Residence.
Led by Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Officer-in-Charge of the Department of National Defense, the high-level Philippine delegation was composed of General Andres Centino, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; Senator Loren Legarda, Senate President Pro Tempore as well as officials from the DND, AFP, Philippine Coast Guard, Office of Senator Legarda and the Philippine Embassy.
During this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue, members of the Philippine delegation held meetings with foreign counterparts and senior officials of key and strategic bilateral partners, defense institutions and think tanks, as well as spoke at the following sessions at Asia’s premier defense and security conference:
- Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., OIC, DND at the Second Plenary Session on Building a Stable and Balanced Asia-Pacific;
- General Andres C. Centino, CSAFP at Session 2 on Challenges of Asia-Pacific Military Capability Development; and
- Senator Loren Legarda at Session 4: Balancing Asia-Pacific Minilateralism and ASEAN Centrality.
In addition, the Philippine delegation was also able to sign the following bilateral agreements with Singapore and Sweden on the following:
- Arrangement between the Department of National Defense of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Defence of Singapore Concerning the Conduct of Education, Training Assistance and Support Activities on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief; and
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden Concerning Cooperation in the Acquisition of Defence Materiel
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General Andres C. Centino, PA, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, delivers his remarks at the Special Session on “Challenges of Asia-Pacific Military Capability Development” at the 20thInternational Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue. (Photo courtesy of IISS)
Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Officer-in-Charge of the Department of National Defense and Head of the Philippine Delegation to the 20th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, shared the Philippines’ perspectives on “Building a Stable and Balanced Asia-Pacific” at a Plenary Session. (Photo courtesy of IISS)
Senator Loren Legarda, a four-term Senator of the Philippines and currently the Senate President Pro Tempore, in a speech during the Special Session on “Balancing Asia-Pacific Minilateralism and ASEAN Centrality” of the 20th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue. (Photo courtesy of IISS)
Singapore Deputy Secretary (Policy) Brigadier-General Kelvin Fan (right) and Philippines Assistant Secretary Strategic Assessment and International Affairs Pablo M. Lorenzo (left) signing the Arrangement concerning the Conduct of Education, Training Assistance and Support Activities on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief this afternoon on the sidelines of the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue. (Photo courtesy of MINDEF)
For more information, visit https://www.singaporepe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg, https://www.facebook.com/PHinSingapore, or https://www.instagram.com/phinsingapore/.