The Shangri-La Dialogue has been recognized as a key event for defence and security diplomacy for the region. Since its inaugural meeting in 2002, the Dialogue has become a recognised part of the architecture of Asian defence diplomacy and is seen as the region's premier and most inclusive security institution. The Shangri-La Dialogue continues to serve as the best available vehicle in the Asia-Pacific region for developing and channelling astute and effective public policy on defence and security.
Over this first half-decade of the Dialogue, 17 countries have sent their defence minister, three countries their deputy or equivalent, and three have sent delegations at other senior levels. Twenty-three countries have participated, and at the fifth anniversary gathering covered by this report, most were represented by their defence minister, as well as the chief of defence staff and other senior officials.
This fifth anniversary Shangri-La Dialogue was the biggest yet, and attracted the largest ever gathering of Asia-Pacific national security establishments.
See also the
IISS Regional Security Summit
2006 Press Coverage
View the 2006 press coverage
