Effective multilateral mechanisms for regional security issues.

(Baonghean)On May 31st and June 1st, the 13th Asian Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, will be held in Singapore. Taking place amidst complex developments in the South China Sea and East China Sea, the summit is expected to be a forum where defense leaders from various countries discuss pressing issues affecting regional security, thereby providing direction for ensuring regional security and defense...

"Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung delivered the opening remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2013 and answered questions from delegates."

The region's largest and most important security forum.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the Asia-Pacific region faced numerous security challenges, ranging from traditional challenges such as the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan, and the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, to the new threat of terrorism; while concerns about the rise of China also became increasingly apparent. Originating from the Munich Conference on Security Policy – ​​a security forum since 1962 that brought together experts, defense ministers, senior security officials, and press representatives from over 40 countries, with NATO as its core – the Shangri-La Dialogue was officially realized in 2002 by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. The dialogue involved 27 countries from the Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe regions, including the 10 ASEAN countries and others such as China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Russia, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Effective multilateral mechanism

The International Institute for Strategic Studies' ambition from the outset was to establish a formal forum where defense ministers from all countries in the Asia-Pacific region could sit down together to discuss any regional issue. To achieve this goal, the Shangri-La Dialogue's operational mechanism is highly diverse. In addition to plenary sessions, there are smaller groups that can propose specific policy objectives. The organizers also ensure that defense ministers have at least two multilateral meetings and dozens of bilateral dialogues.

Meanwhile, to further expand its influence, the forum has gradually broadened its participants. Initially, it included only defense ministers and relevant senior officials; later, it expanded to include the Chief of General Staff and Deputy Ministers of Defense, as well as senior officials in fields such as intelligence, police, and homeland security. The topics discussed have also diversified; while many scholars, researchers, journalists, and businesspeople are invited as speakers, creating a multifaceted approach and offering solutions to pressing regional security issues.

Maritime security challenges at the 2014 Shangri-La Dialogue

Many significant challenges are facing the 2014 Shangri-La Dialogue, amidst serious developments in the South China Sea and East China Sea. In particular, China has caused great concern among its neighbors with actions such as declaring an Air Defense Identification Zone in the East China Sea, deploying a deep-sea drilling rig in Vietnamese waters; and even engaging in provocative and arrogant acts, including deliberately ramming Vietnamese vessels…

According to the plan, at the 13th Shangri-La Dialogue, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will deliver the keynote address on the evening of May 30th. As is customary each year, the organizers invite a Prime Minister or President from a country in the region to deliver the keynote address before the opening session. Following this, on May 31st and June 1st, five plenary sessions will be held on the following topics: the US contribution to regional stability; promoting military cooperation; resolving strategic tensions; prospects for peace and security in the Asia-Pacific; and ensuring conflict resolution in the Asia-Pacific. Notably, this year's Shangri-La Dialogue 2014 will also feature the first-ever release of the International Institute for Strategic Studies' strategic document entitled: "Regional Security Assessment 2014".

Vietnam's position and prestige at the Shangri-La Dialogue

Looking back at last year's 12th Shangri-La Dialogue, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's keynote speech, with its concept and vision of "strategic trust," attracted particular attention and resonated throughout the discussions. Delegates highly appreciated the speech, stating that it accurately addressed the core issues of unresolved disputes and disagreements between nations: suspicion and a lack of trust between parties. In previous dialogues, Vietnam has also actively participated on various topics such as "Reforming the regional security structure" and "Addressing new maritime security challenges." The Vietnamese delegation's speeches have consistently received attention and high praise from other countries.

Following up on the message of "strategic trust" and "trust requires action," delivered by the Vietnamese Prime Minister at last year's forum, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to deliver a strong message at this year's Shangri-La Dialogue 2014 that Japan always pursues peace, wants to play a greater role in protecting global security, and that all countries need to abide by the law. These messages will undoubtedly be a strong statement to any nation that disregards international law to provoke, expand, and seize what does not belong to them, thereby affecting regional security.

Phuong Hoa