NAVAL WAR COLLEGE, NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, 19-21 September 2018 - 94 Navies all around the world gathered for the 23rd International Seapower Symposium (ISS) with a theme of ‘Security, Order and Prosperity’ in United States of America. The three days event was Chaired by Admiral J. M. Richardson, Chief Of Naval Operations, U.S. Navy. Representing the Royal Brunei Navy was Captain Haji Othman bin Haji Suhaili@Suhaily, RBN, Deputy Commander of Royal Brunei Navy.
The highlight of the symposium was the keynote speech given by U.S. Secretary of Defense, James N. Mattis where he emphasized that both civilian and military need to be transparent and committed to pursue a share common interest in international waters by practicing the 21st century cooperation and strategy according to the International Law. He also mentioned to expand the “Hand-CON” means “Hand Shake’ culture to all Naval colleagues in order to build trust and foster confidence building measures right from the shore and through to the sea.
An Addition to This year’s symposium was a forum where the navies can discuss and promote wide range of initiatives that focused on maritime security cooperations in the very subjects of ‘The Grey Zone Challenges’, ‘Innovationin Naval Power’, ‘Combined Operations in Response to Crisis’ and ‘Maritime Surveillance and Information Sharing’. In that they shared their thoughts and knowledge of their best practices in combating the current maritime security problems in each region, and also, acts as a good platform for the participating countries to learn and gain valuable solutions in tackling the complex maritime challenges.
It is envisaged that the symposium can enhance maritime collaborative operations in countering piracy, providing disaster relief and humanitarian assistance and all other non traditional threats. Royal Brunei Navy last attended the ISS was in 2014.
