The Shangri-La Dialogue 2026, Asia's premier defense and security summit, opened Friday in Singapore amid growing geopolitical tensions.
The three-day event, which focuses on major security challenges facing the region, brought together 550 delegates from over 40 countries and regions.
In a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Shangri-La Dialogue 2026, Vietnamese President To Lam said as conflicts persist in many parts of the world and geopolitical tensions intensify, negative impacts are hindering global economic growth, trade exchanges, and supply chain stability.
He said that countries should therefore strengthen strategic mutual trust, uphold dialogue and consultation, maintain an open and inclusive regional cooperation framework, and jointly address security and development challenges. "The choice facing the Asia-Pacific today is not whether to compete, because competition is an objective reality in international relations. More importantly, it is about choosing responsible coexistence over disorderly confrontation, stronger dialogue over division and antagonism, and a rules-based international order built on mutual trust over suspicion and coercion. We believe the Asia-Pacific not only has the resolve to take the path of peace, cooperation, and prosperity, but also the ability to achieve that goal," he said.
The Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 features six plenary sessions, two ministerial roundtables, three special sessions, and a special address.
A delegation of military experts and scholars from the People's Liberation Army of China has been invited to attend the Dialogue.
The event will run through Sunday.
Security challenges loom large as Asia's premier defense summit kicks off
