ESTABLISHING DIALOGUE AND COOPERATION TO FACE EVOLVING THREATS

As the centre of global strategic and economic gravity makes its shift to Asia-Pacific, this region will be very dynamic, adding further to the uncertainties that the future brings.

This was shared by the Honourable Kevin Rudd MP, Prime Minister of Australia, as he delivered the opening keynote address at the 8th Shangri-La Dialogue on 29 May.

Speaking to defence ministers and delegates from 27 countries, he said: "In a rapidly changing region, we will therefore face a wide range of emerging security challenges - both traditional and non-traditional."

Citing environmental change, transnational crime, global health concerns and terrorism as factors that will potentially increase the risk of conflict, he said: "We need to build the habits of dialogue, discussion and cooperation that will help minimise friction and provide a mechanism for dealing with it when it arises."

The Shangri-La Dialogue is held annually and organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). It is the only forum that gathers defence ministers from the Asia-Pacific region to discuss issues relating to regional security and defence cooperation.

Over the course of this three-day dialogue, which is being held from 29 to 31 May, topics such as America's security role in the Asia-Pacific; military transparency and security in the Asia-Pacific; and strengthening defence diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific will be discussed.

29 May 09 - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Meets Counterparts at 8th Shangri-La Dialogue