The present global world order is increasingly under strain from great power contestation, exacerbating political uncertainty and national security concerns. Amidst these developments, regional geopolitical competition, unilateral responses to competing maritime interests and challenges to good order at sea continue to be of concern to regional maritime stakeholders. These challenges include the damaging effect of various maritime security threats such as piracy armed robbery and other maritime crimes perpetrated by non-state actors in this region and beyond, and some new and growing problems emerging from new technologies and domains such as the undersea environment and in the cyber realm.
In such an environment, safeguarding seamless maritime connectivity and navigation becomes ever more vital to Southeast Asia’s sustained development and security. There is therefore growing imperative to preserve a rules-based maritime order by continually promoting an inclusive maritime region founded upon international rules and norms. To effectively create avenues for collaboration and enhancing mutual understanding, inclusive dialogue between all maritime domain stakeholders to facilitate better understanding of current geopolitical developments remains crucial.
This year, the 9th International Maritime Security Conference will bring together maritime practitioners, academics, policymakers, and stakeholders to share their thoughts on how, as a maritime community, we could work together to ensure an open and secure maritime domain.
Geopolitical Developments and their Maritime Consequences
Mutual Cooperation and Collaboration in Pivotal Times
Understanding New Developments and Their Impact on Contemporary Maritime Issues
Rear Admiral Sean Wat
Chief of Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy
Former President, UN Conference on the Law of the Sea
Senior Fellow, Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta
Vice President and Director, China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division, Center for Naval Analyses
Chairman, Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance; and Founding President and Chairman of Academic Committees, National Institute for South China Sea Studies
Academic Director, Institute for Security Policy, Kiel University
Dean, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Chief of Navy, Royal Malaysian Navy
Chief of Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy
Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy
Commander, US Pacific Fleet, United States Navy
Advisor, Maritime Security Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
Deputy Commander, Royal Canadian Navy
Head, Department for Maritime Security, German Federal Police
Vice Chief of the Indonesian Navy
Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Ambassador Ong Keng Yong
Executive Deputy Chairman, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies