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Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles MP, will attend the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore from 30 May to 1 June 2025.
This marks his fourth appearance at the dialogue in his current roles, underscoring Australia’s strong commitment to regional security and cooperation. The Shangri-La Dialogue, convened annually by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), is widely recognised as the premier security forum in the Asia-Pacific.
Held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, the dialogue attracts defence ministers, military leaders, diplomats and security experts from across the Indo-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. The 2025 event comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and rapid shifts in the regional security landscape.
In a statement ahead of his departure, Minister Marles said, “In these complex and challenging times, the Shangri-La Dialogue provides an important platform to discuss shared security challenges with my global and regional counterparts. The Australian government remains committed to strengthening our global defence relationships while deepening our diplomatic and defence partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.”
During the dialogue, Minister Marles will deliver a keynote address at the third plenary session, titled “Managing proliferation risks in the Asia-Pacific”, focusing on pressing security challenges such as nuclear proliferation, emerging technologies and regional stability.
Alongside his plenary address, Minister Marles will hold bilateral meetings with defence counterparts from across the region and beyond. Key among these is the 15th Trilateral Defence Ministers’ Meeting (TDMM), co-chaired with Japanese Minister of Defense H.E. Nakatani Gen and United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
The TDMM is expected to focus on strengthening trilateral cooperation in defence and security, addressing shared challenges and promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 will also feature discussions on emerging security risks, defence innovation and the strategic balance in the region. It is expected to draw over 500 delegates from nearly 50 countries, reflecting the dialogue’s growing importance as a forum for high-level strategic engagement.
This year’s dialogue is expected to be closely watched for signs of how regional powers are responding to evolving security dynamics, particularly amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, ongoing technological competition and the growing importance of non-traditional security threats.
