Singapore, 30 May 2026

The 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue officially commenced in Singapore on May 29, drawing senior defence and security leaders from around the world for discussions on the evolving strategic landscape in the Asia-Pacific region. The three-day summit, held at the Shangri-La Hotel from May 29 to 31, has attracted representatives from 44 countries, including 54 ministerial-level delegates.

Among the key highlights of this year’s forum is the keynote address delivered by Vietnamese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, during the opening dinner. Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta is also scheduled to deliver a special address during the event.

ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn participated in the dialogue and addressed delegates during the second plenary session titled “Priorities within Asia’s Shifting Strategic Landscape.” In his remarks, Dr. Kao emphasized ASEAN’s commitment to maintaining regional unity and centrality while promoting inclusive cooperation amid increasing geopolitical competition and uncertainty. He underscored the bloc’s role in fostering dialogue, strengthening regional resilience, and advancing a rules-based regional order that prioritizes shared prosperity over fragmentation.

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is set to host delegates at a reception at the Istana on May 30, further reinforcing the city-state’s role as a key facilitator of regional security dialogue.

In his Keynote Address, Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam called for stronger international cooperation to promote peace, stability, and development amid growing global uncertainty. He highlighted three interconnected challenges shaping today's world: the erosion of the rules-based international order, pressures on development models, and declining strategic trust among nations.

To Lam warned that selective application of international law, economic and technological competition, climate change, and rising geopolitical tensions are increasing global instability. It emphasized that development and security are closely linked, while growing mistrust risks turning misunderstandings into conflicts.

Focusing on the Asia-Pacific, Viet Nam leader described the region as both a center of economic growth and strategic competition, stressing the importance of ASEAN's role in maintaining balance and cooperation. Key recommendations included strengthening dialogue, upholding international law, enhancing human security, promoting responsible use of emerging technologies, protecting information integrity, and expanding preventive diplomacy. Vietnam reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful cooperation, trust-building, and regional stability.

China has sent a delegation of military experts and scholars to participate in the forum. The delegation is led by Maj. Gen. Meng Xiangqing, a professor at the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) National Defense University. The team also includes representatives from the PLA Academy of Military Science and the PLA Navy. According to Chinese officials, the delegation aims to explain China’s security perspectives and initiatives, promote mutual understanding, build trust, and contribute to regional peace and stability. This is second consecutive year that Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun is not attending the event.

Other prominent participants include Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani; Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev; and United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Organized annually by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the Shangri-La Dialogue is widely regarded as Asia’s premier defence and security summit. Since its launch in 2002, the forum has served as an important platform for military leaders, policymakers, and security experts to exchange views on pressing regional and global security issues.

The dialogue has traditionally provided opportunities for engagement between major powers, particularly China and the United States.

Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing is scheduled to speak at the final plenary session on May 31. His address, titled “Evolving Security Partnerships in a Fragmenting World,” will explore the changing dynamics of international defence cooperation. The programme also includes six plenary sessions and three special sessions covering a range of security and defence topics.

In addition to participating in panel discussions, Chan will host several roundtable meetings with visiting defence ministers and senior officials. He will also host a breakfast meeting for defence ministers from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), a longstanding security framework involving Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Established in 1971, the FPDA continues to play an important role in supporting the external defence of Singapore and Malaysia.

The Singapore defence chief will further co-host a breakfast meeting for ASEAN defence ministers alongside Philippine Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro Jr. The Philippines currently serves as ASEAN Chair, while Singapore is expected to assume the role in 2027.