International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) returns for the fourth time and is joined by 15th Asia Pacific Submarine Conference 2015 (APSC 2015), which is for the first time held in conjunction with the 10th edition of IMDEX Asia

SINGAPORE, May 18, 2015 - (Antara) - The International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC), will return as a key feature of the International Maritime Defence Exhibition 2015 (IMDEX Asia 2015). The biennial invitation-only conference will see Chiefs of Navy, Directors-General of Coast Guard, government officials, key industry players and academia from around the world, gathering to exchange ideas and discuss challenges facing maritime security.

IMSC is organised by Experia Events and co-hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). To be held on 20 May 2015 at Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC), it is themed "Safe and Secure Seas - Strengthening Maritime Cooperation". Over 450 delegates are expected to come together to address the significance of a cooperative security approach to create critical capabilities to meet a widening array of transnational threats.

IMSC features a host of high-level speakers including Chiefs of Navy and Senior Military Officers from across the globe. This year, IMSC will be graced by Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Minister of State, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Defence, who will deliver the opening address, as well as Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, Executive Deputy Chairman of RSIS, who will conclude the conference with the closing address.

In addition, delegates can look forward to hearing from:

- VADM Timothy Barrett, Chief of Navy, Royal Australian Navy
- COL. Pg Norazmi bin Pg Hj Muhammad, Commander, Royal Brunei Navy
- RADM Shen Jinlong, Commander, South Sea Fleet People's Liberation Army Navy
- VADM Yasuhiro Shigeoka, Vice Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
- VADM Dato' Seri Panglima Ahmad Kamarulzaman bin Haji Ahmad Badaruddin, Deputy Chief of Navy, Royal Malaysian Navy
- RADM Lai Chung Han, Chief of Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy
- RADM Anthony Radakin, Commander UK Maritime Forces, Royal Navy
- ADM Michelle Howard, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, United States Navy

IMSC 2015 will feature two panels:

- Challenges and Cooperation in Maritime Security will facilitate discussions on the regional maritime security environment and to identify the main challenges to security and stability in the region. It will examine the value of multilateral regimes, cooperative engagements and exercises in enhancing understanding, confidence and trust.

- Maritime Futures and Challenges will focus on the likely developments in the Asia Pacific Maritime environment in the next decade. It will reflect on the changing security and strategic landscape and the evolving threats and challenges in the maritime domain facing navies in the near future.

This year, as a testament to IMDEX Asia's importance and contribution to thought leadership in the industry, the 15th Asia Pacific Submarine Conference 2015 will, for the first time, be held in conjunction with the 10th IMDEX Asia 2015. Inaugurated by the United States Navy (USN), APSC has provided a platform to develop and foster regional cooperation among the submarine-operating navies in the Asia Pacific since 2001. Delegates from various nations and organisations will come together to discuss concerns on submarine survivability, escape and interoperability of rescue assets and build and maintain a strong network for submarine rescue collaboration. The 15th APSC is co-hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy's Fleet Command and United States Pacific Fleet Submarine Force.

Colonel Edwin Leong, Commanding Officer, Missile Corvette Squadron, RSN added, "As part of our effort to bring together navies and other maritime agencies in the region and beyond to build relations and foster greater trust, we will be hosting a number of conferences and exercises together with IMDEX Asia 2015, such as the International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC), the International Naval Engineering Conference (INEC), the Asia Pacific Submarine Conference (APSC) as well as information sharing and sea exercises."

"As a leading think tank and research centre, our activities are geared towards assisting policymakers to develop comprehensive approaches to strategic thinking on issues related to security and stability in the Asia Pacific and their implications for Singapore. As Singapore is a major maritime hub, the safety and security of sea lines of communication are critical areas of research and public outreach for RSIS. We are therefore honoured to lend our support to IMSC 2015," said Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, Executive Deputy Chairman, RSIS.

"The ability to consistently bring together senior service chiefs and top-level officials to foster ties through collaboration and dialogue underscores the importance of strategic conferences like IMSC," said Mr Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director, Experia Events. "This year, we are pleased that APSC 2015, will for the first time, be held in conjunction with IMDEX Asia. This will add a new dimension to the discussions on naval defence and maritime security trends. Together with IMSC, the International Naval Engineering Conference (INEC@IMDEX Asia) and a host of technology seminars, IMDEX Asia 2015 promises an enriching and insightful experience for all our participants."

IMDEX Asia is organised by Experia Events with the support of the Republic of Singapore Navy, the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre and the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau.

About IMDEX Asia

Established in 1997, the biennial IMDEX Asia is the premier international maritime defence show in Asia Pacific and beyond. IMDEX Asia comprises an exhibition, strategic conferences, and a warships display. It has gained recognition as the global platform to address pressing issues within the naval and maritime defence industry, showcase the latest naval technologies and connect key players from navies, governments and industry. A must-attend show in the international maritime defence calendar, IMDEX Asia 2015 will be the tenth in the series and will be held from 19 - 21 May.

IMDEX Asia is organised by Experia Events with the support of the Republic of Singapore Navy, the Defence Science and Technology Agency, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre and the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau. For more information on IMDEX Asia 2015, please visit www.imdexasia.com.

Contact:

Marilyn Ho
Experia Events Pte Ltd
Director, Communications
Tel: +65 6595 6130
Email: marilynho@experiaevents.com

Lin Kuek
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Tel: +65 6390 3363
Mobile: +65 9336 5080
Email: lin.kuek@hkstrategies.com

Reporter: PR Wire
Editor: PR Wire
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