Minister for Defence officiates at the opening ceremony of the 9th International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference Asia 2013

1. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated at the opening ceremony of the 9th International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (IMDEX) Asia 2013 at the Changi Exhibition Centre this morning. 61 delegations from the navies, air forces and maritime enforcement agencies of 48 countries, and 194 exhibitors from around the world, are participating in this year’s exhibition.
   
   
2. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Ng said that IMDEX Asia is “a key platform for defence professionals to exchange views and enhance cooperation in the maritime domain.” Noting the importance of seaborne trade to the global economy, he stressed the need for closer collaboration by the international community to deal with the evolving maritime threats, in order to achieve “peaceful seas and continued prosperity for all.” Dr Ng highlighted that countries need to take a more collaborative approach anchored on three principles: First, platforms for dialogue and cooperation had to be open and inclusive. Second, disagreements between states should be settled peacefully and in accordance with international law. Finally, countries must strengthen practical cooperation in areas of shared interest to build understanding, if not trust.
   
   
3. After the opening ceremony, Dr Ng visited some of the foreign warships taking part in the IMDEX Asia 2013 Warships Display at Changi Naval Base. A total of 15 warships from nine countries are taking part in the this year’s IMDEX Asia 2013 Warships Display, which is hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) from 14 to 16 May 2013.
   
   
4. In conjunction with IMDEX Asia 2013, the RSN will also host the Maritime Information-Sharing Exercise (MARISX) 2013 and the 4th Western Pacific Naval Symposium Multilateral Sea Exercise (4th WMSX) at the Multinational Operations and Exercises Centre located in the Changi Command and Control Centre. These exercises seek to strengthen the information-sharing process and enhance the interoperability among the participating navies and maritime agencies. Chief of Defence Force MajorGeneral Ng Chee Meng will officiate at the opening ceremony of the MARISX 13 and the 4th WMSX later today.

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