iscover
An estimated 500 defence and security representatives from across the globe are expected to attend the relaunched event.
The biannual 2022 Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference has relaunched in Perth this week, following a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing the theme “Beyond Transit: The emerging security relevance of the Indian Ocean”, over 50 speakers and panellists including the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, have begun addressing the 500 strong crowd.
Other speakers include the Hon Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Commodore Michael Turner, Director General Force Exploration and Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Shekhar Sinha, India’s Western Naval Command.
In addition to presentations and panels, 35 organisations will also have the opportunity to showcase their capabilities and seek partnerships to deliver leading defence services and equipment.
The conference was formerly known as the WA Indo-Pacific Defence Conference and is hosted by the WA state government in collaboration with the Perth USAsia Centre and the UWA Defence and Security Institute.
"With the announcement of the Defence Strategic Review earlier this month, it is timely that we have this opportunity to discuss the strategic importance and capability of WA,” Premier Mark McGowan said.
"WA is well positioned to support broader bilateral and multilateral exercises and is the centre of national and international defence planning for the Indo-Pacific region.
"Our rapid, global leading technology, and solutions-focused aligned industry sectors, such as oil and gas, resources and mining, can be readily applied to defence to increase sovereign capability.
"Unlocking the full potential of our defence industry is a key part of this government's plan to diversify the state's economy and secure the jobs of the future for Western Australians."
According to the WA Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia, Perth plays a vital role in the security of the Indian Ocean.
"Following the COVID-19 pandemic, WA's flagship defence and security conference has returned bigger and better than before,” he said.
"Not only has it expanded in length and attendance, we have advanced the way we think and talk about WA in relation to defence and security, locally, domestically and internationally.
"As Australia's gateway to the Indian Ocean, there is no better location than Perth to discuss the defence and security issues impacting countries across the whole Indo-Pacific region."
[Related: ADF prepares for training exercise in Western Australia]
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Defence Connect a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Defence Connect as a preferred news source.