SINGAPORE - United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin will participate in the annual Shangri-La Dialogue from June 4 to 5 and speak on the US' Indo-Pacific strategy, the Pentagon announced early on Tuesday (May 4). The summit's London-based organiser, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), added that this will mark Mr Austin's first trip to South-east Asia, and that on top of delivering an on-the-record speech, he will also be conducting bilateral and multilateral meetings on the sidelines. Cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic, the Shangri-La Dialogue resumes this year as an in-person gathering of high-level defence policymakers from around the world, with an event "bubble" centred on the Singapore hotel it is named after. Mr Austin tweeted that the event will be a "great" opportunity to discuss security challenges facing the Indo-Pacific. IISS-Asia executive director James Crabtree said on the same platform that a host of ministers from Asia, Europe and the Middle East are confirmed speakers at the event in Singapore. The names of other speakers and attendees were not immediately available, although IISS said more details will be shared in the coming weeks. Last Tuesday (April 27), during their first bilateral meeting, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen invited his Malaysian counterpart Ismail Sabri Yaakob to attend the dialogue. Dr Ng had an introductory telephone conversation with Mr Austin on March 3. Dr Ng said then that he looked forward to working closely with Mr Austin to ensure continued stability, peace and progress in the region, while the Pentagon chief expressed appreciation for the regional access that Singapore provides to US forces. Mr Austin is a former four-star general who oversaw US military operations in the Middle East under then President Barack Obama. His nomination by current US leader Joe Biden, and subsequent confirmation in January this year, made him the first African American secretary of defence. I’m looking forward to attending the @IISS_org Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in June. It’ll be my first trip as Secretary to Southeast Asia, and it’ll be a great opportunity to discuss security challenges facing the Indo-Pacific. #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific https://t.co/uOZ4O6gGq7— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) May 3, 2021 More on this topic Related Story Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin sees Asia ties as deterrent against China Related Story Next major war will be 'very different', US defence secretary says
The annual Shangri-La Dialogue will resume this year, as more effective safety measures are in place and more people are vaccinated, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said in a Facebook post yesterday. The annual event was cancelled last year. The dialogue, which had taken place every year since 2002, was scheduled for June 5 to 7 last year, but was called off because of the Covid-19 pandemic. "The Shangri-La Dialogue will resume this year. As with previous years, the Sherpa Meeting - a prelude to the main Shangri-La Dialogue where ministerial and senior defence officials meet to discuss relevant security issues - kicked off today," Dr Ng said. He added that at the Sherpa Meeting, more than 200 defence officials and non-governmental experts are meeting both physically and through videoconferencing. Participants at the two-day event which ends today include delegations from 26 countries and the European Union, some of whom are physically present at The Fullerton Hotel. Participants attending the Sherpa Meeting in person are required to undergo a pre-entry antigen rapid test, to ensure they are Covid-19-free. Simultaneously, stringent precautionary measures such as safe distancing, mask wearing, temperature taking and regular disinfection of common areas are enforced. Plexi-glass dividers have been placed in conference and meal areas. The Shangri-La Dialogue will be one of several high-profile meetings and conferences taking place in Singapore this year. Another landmark event, the World Economic Forum (WEF), will be held from May 25 to 28, with top political, business and academic leaders gathering to discuss global issues. The Shangri-La Dialogue will be one of several high-profile meetings and conferences taking place in Singapore this year. Another landmark event, the World Economic Forum, will be held from May 25 to 28. Covid-19 testing measures will be in place for such events. Participants attending the WEF will have to comply with strict public health requirements, Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan said on Jan 5. They will have to undergo pre-departure and on-arrival Covid-19 tests, and observe safe management measures.