NAVAL WAR COLLEGE, NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, USA, 19-22 September 2023 – Navies from all around the world have gathered for the 25th International Seapower Symposium (ISS) in the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, United States of America. The four-day event, themed “Security Through Partnership", held from 19 September to 22 September was chaired by Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, U.S. Navy. Representing the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) was Captain Haji Mohamad Sarif Pudin bin Matserudin, RBN, Acting Commander RBN, accompanied by Lieutenant Commander Haji Mohammad Arnold bin Haji Osman, RBN, Commanding Officer of KDB DARUSSALAM.
The symposium is a forum where navies discuss the opportunities and challenges present in the global maritime domain. This year, panel discussions addressed the dynamic issues of “Food, Energy, Seabed Infrastructure, and Commerce", “Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated (IUU) Maritime Activity", “Artificial Intelligence & Unmanned Technology" as well as “Developing, Empowering, and Retaining Sailors". This year's symposium also featured a technology demonstration at the Naval War College's Kay Hall showcasing Unmanned Technologies used in the U.S. Navy where participants witnessed real-world applications for selected equipment and had an opportunity to interact with the operators behind the technology.
Forums such as the 25th ISS enable participating navies to share insights on currently developing maritime trends, which prepares navies to better take advantage of opportunities and prepare for possible challenges. The congregation of chiefs of navies from all around the world also presents an opportunity for sideline bilateral interactions in which Acting Commander RBN met with key leaders of the U.S. Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Republic of Singapore Navy, Royal Malaysian Navy, the Indonesian Navy as well as the United States Coast Guard.
The Royal Brunei Navy's in-person attendance reflects the commitment toward defence diplomacy and cooperation in the global maritime commons. Moreover, it further reflects the resumption of people-to-people relations between key leaders of navies around the world, opening avenues for more cooperative opportunities.
