Newport, Rhode Island, Tuesday 16 September 2014 – The 21st International Sea power Symposium (ISS 21) a biennial event hosted by the United States Navy and U.S Naval War College, was held in Newport, Rhode Island for three days from the 16th to 19th September 2014 is the World’s largest gathering of Naval leadership, which provides a platform for group and individual discussions for the more than 100 countries represented this year.Among those leaders, there were 72 heads of navy, 21 heads of coast guard and 14 presidents of naval war colleges at the event. Representing the Royal Brunei Navy, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, Commander of Royal Brunei Navy. The Commander was accompany by his spouse, Datin Sakdiah Haji Mohd Noor and the Defence Attache of Negara Brunei Darussalam in the US, Colonel (L) Zil Husam bin Haji Abdul Rahman as well as officers from the Royal Brunei Navy.
Prior to the start of the symposium, Rear Admiral P.Gardner, The President, U.S Naval War College and The Honorable Ray Mabus, U.S Secretary of the Navy gave their welcoming remarks to the delegations. The symposium was officially commenced by Admiral Jonathan Greenart, Chief of Naval Operations and the sponsor of this year’s symposium.
During the three-day symposium, Delegates listened and took part in several Panel Discussion topics relating to current, vital maritime topics such as “Future Trends in Maritime Security”, “Enhancing Coalition Operations”, and “Implications of Climate change on maritime security” focusing on the theme of “Global Solutions to Common Maritime Challenges” as well as a report on the search for the missing plane MH370. There were also sessions to address specific geographic challenges navies face. In addition to the talks, four ships were in port for the symposium which were available for the delegates to visit, USNS CHOCTAW COUNTY (JHSV2), USS HARFORD (SSN 768), USS JASON DUNHAM (DDG 109) and USS ARLINGTON (LPD 24)
The Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy and Datin attended a Welcoming reception hosted by the President of U.S Naval War College and spouse at Rosecliff Mansion and The Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy and Datin with entourage also attended a reception aboard the USS ARLINGTON.
The symposium ended in a positive note, whereby Admiral Greenert highlighted four takeaways that attendees agreed were important topics for future action. Cyber: how can information concerns are addressed by the group. CUES: developing a code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea when the unexpected happens. Information sharing: how different information platforms can work better together. Best Practice: posting and sharing what works and what doesn’t for all participants to access.
The biennial ISS was first held in 1969 in Newport and was designed to allow naval leaders from around the world to meet and discuss common issues they face, how to address this issues and ultimately find solutions for them. The next ISS is scheduled for 2016 in Newport.
