28th Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense Conference Focuses on Strengthening Regional Security
The event was co-hosted by Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Command, and Gen. Jennie Carignan, Canada’s chief of the Defence Staff. The Honorable David J. McGuinty, Canada’s minister of National Defence, and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also addressed participants alongside senior military leaders from across the region.
Under the theme “Strengthening Collective Security: Navigating Challenges in a Dynamic Indo-Pacific Landscape,” the event brought together senior military leaders, practitioners and regional experts representing 30 delegations and 29 countries to exchange perspectives on the evolving security environment, address shared challenges and identify opportunities for practical cooperation.
Caine emphasized collective security as a shared responsibility, calling for stronger alliances, resilient societies and interoperable forces. He highlighted the rapidly changing character of warfare, including advances in artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, and urged nations to adapt by investing in capabilities, resilience and sustained partnerships to enhance deterrence and their ability to respond together.
Paparo emphasized collective readiness, adaptation and deterrence, calling on participants to address the changing character of warfare, identify areas of shared interest and capability, and deepen collaboration to deter aggression.
Topic discussions addressed emerging technology and artificial intelligence, cross-domain deterrence and resilience, defense industrial base investment, expanded multilateral cooperation, and leadership, capacity-building and professional development across the force.
Concurrent with the plenary sessions, a Senior Enlisted Leaders program examined the enlisted force’s role as a force multiplier for collaboration and leadership at every level.
Senior leaders also conducted bilateral and multilateral engagements on the margins of the plenary sessions, advancing operational relationships among allies and partners.
Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, attended to highlight the Department of War’s National Guard State Partnership Program and its role in security cooperation across the Indo-Pacific. The program connects U.S. states and territories with 117 partner nations, including 18 within the Indo-Pacific region, through sustained military-to-military engagement while building interoperability and cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity, emergency preparedness and multinational training.
The annual in-person conference has been held since 1998 and alternates between Hawaii and partner nations. The event promotes mutual understanding and interoperability among senior military leaders and reinforces a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
U.S. Pacific Command is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict.
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