OTTAWA - The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Tom Lawson, concluded a visit to Sydney, Australia, late last week, where he participated in the United States Pacific Command’s (USPACOM) 15th Annual Chiefs of Defence conference. General Lawson was accompanied by Director General of International Security Policy Major-General D. Michael Day.
“The 2012 Pacific Command’s Conference presented a valuable opportunity for me to meet with a number of my Asia-Pacific counterparts for the first time, and to continue building upon the relationships that are so important for the CF now and in the coming years,” said General Lawson. "It is through trust and understanding that we will be better able to work together to improve the security of the Asia-Pacific region, and to better prepare our responses to humanitarian crises whenever they may arise.”
The 15th Annual Chiefs of Defence Conference was hosted in Sydney, Australia, and was attended by the senior military leaders of most Pacific Rim nations. Topics of discussion included strengthening security in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean, strategies to manage relations between the powers of the region, strengthening defence engagement in an increasingly interlinked region, building sustainability and security in Pacific Island states, as well as other discussions centered on regional security.
The Pacific Command Chiefs of Defence Conference is the key meeting in the Asia-Pacific region for senior military leadership. Established in 1998 by United States Pacific Command, this forum brings together senior military leaders from nations in the Asia-Pacific region to meet and discuss mutual security challenges, improve mutual relationships and to foster security cooperation.
The Canadian Forces regularly engage in good-will visits, military exchange programs, joint training exercises and deployed operations with a host of its Asia-Pacific allies and partners. Given the long-standing cultural and economic ties between Canada and Pacific Rim countries, the Pacific Chiefs of Defence conference is an important opportunity for the Canadian Forces to support the whole of government approach to trade, security, and political engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.
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