Canadian Defence Minister and Chief of the Defence Staff Attend Asia Security Summit

From: National Defence

News Release

June 4, 2017, Singapore — National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Asia-Pacific region is critical to our country’s economic future and to growing our middle class. Canada’s engagement in Asia-Pacific has never been stronger and we will continue to work with our international partners to enhance peace and security in the region.

Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan and General Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff, reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region at this year’s annual International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

The event provided a unique opportunity for ministers and representatives of over 50 countries to come together to examine the region’s key security challenges. Topics of discussion included global threats, rising regional tensions, new areas for defence cooperation, and maritime security. 

During the conference, Minister Sajjan delivered a speech on New Challenges for Crisis Management in the Asia-Pacific, which focused on three key issues:

  • the problems of terrorism and radicalization;
  • devastating natural disasters and the effects of climate change throughout the region; and
  • addressing multilateral challenges and crises throughout the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.

Minister Sajjan also met with a number of regional counterparts, specifically Singapore’s Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) and Second Minister for Defence, Ong Ye Kung; Secretary-General Lê Lương Minh of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); New Zealand’s Minister of Defence, Mark Mitchell; France’s Minister of the Armed Forces, Sylvie Goulard; Defence Minister for the Republic of Korea, Han Minkoo; and, Switzerland’s Federal Councillor, Guy Parmelin. The Minister spoke with his counterparts about shared security concerns from both a regional and global perspective, and exchanged ideas for strengthening and expanding defence cooperation.

On the margins of the conference, Canada hosted the Southeast Asian Young Leaders’ Programme organized by the IISS that engages young leaders in the debate on the complex and evolving challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region. For the first time, Canada was invited to nominate two young leaders to participate and on Sunday evening, General Vance welcomed participants of the Southeast Asian Young Leaders’ Programme on HMCS Winnipeg for a reception.

Quotes

“As a Pacific nation, Canada recognizes the importance of a secure, stable, and prosperous Asia-Pacific region, and remains committed to strong relationships with our regional defence and security partners.”

Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister

Quick Facts

  • The Shangri-La Dialogue is attended by ministers, chiefs of defence, and other defence professionals from over 50 countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and North America.

  • The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) participates in several military exercises throughout the Asia-Pacific region to strengthen its defence relationships with key regional partners.

  • Presently, both HMCS Winnipeg and HMCS Ottawa are in the Asia-Pacific region as part of Poseidon Cutlass 17. This deployment will include numerous opportunities to exercise with regional partner navies at sea, as well as hold events and engagements in ports across the region. 

  • In addition to attending this year’s conference in Singapore, Minister Sajjan has travelled to the Asia-Pacific region several times since taking office. In April, he travelled to India and Malaysia where he met with his counterparts to discuss common defence and security issues. Last year, he travelled to Australia and New Zealand to continue to build upon the strong defence relationship Canada shares with these two Five Eyes partners. 

  • This is Minister Sajjan’s second time attending the Shangri-La Dialogue. He also visited Singapore to attend the 2016 conference.

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Contacts

Jordan Owens
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-3100
Email: Jordan.Owens@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-Free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

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