Seef District: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: Stephanie Beck, Canadian Deputy Minister of National Defence, during a plenary session at the IISS Manama Dialogue Security Summit 2024 that underlined the importance of bolstering security capabilities to meet the global challenges by each nation.
She was among other panelists who shed light on the security challenges face by the global community and how to thwart threats pose by evolving scenario across the continents and each nation should take all possible steps to modernize, equip, training and enhance defense capabilities in 2024 and beyond.
The Canadian Deputy Minister addressed the increasing global tensions and escalating conflicts and their impact on societies, particularly in Canada. She touched on challenges related to cyber interference and its influence on Canadian elections and civil society.
She noted the importance of investing in military capabilities to tackle these challenges and enhancing international cooperation to ensure resource sustainability and security.
The Canadian Deputy Minister addressed the increasing global tensions and escalating conflicts and their impact on societies, particularly in Canada. She touched on challenges related to cyber interference and its influence on Canadian elections and civil society.
She noted the importance of investing in military capabilities to tackle these challenges and enhancing international cooperation to ensure resource sustainability and security.
The other panelists, who joined Stephanie, including high-level experts and officials participating in the sixth session of the Manama Dialogue, underscored the importance of enhancing regional and international cooperation to achieve peace and stability.
They emphasised addressing security challenges through peaceful and sustainable means, understanding the root causes of crises, and highlighted the necessity of modernising military capabilities and fostering defence collaboration as essential measures to counter threats, uphold national sovereignty, and leverage global developments that create opportunities for cooperation.
The sixth plenary session, titled “Defence Challenges in a Complex World,” was held as part of the 2024 Manama Dialogue and chaired by Sir John Chipman, CEO of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
The session featured Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Hungarian Minister of Defence; Stephanie Beck, Canadian Deputy Minister of National Defence; and Admiral Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces; and Daniel Shapiro, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, US.
The Hungarian Minister highlighted the role of diplomacy in defence and support issues in the Middle East and North Africa, stressing the importance of decision-making that contributes to conflict resolution.
He commended the roles of Bahrain and Hungary in adopting smart strategies rooted in global traditions and principles. The minister also discussed the importance of achieving regional peace and the security challenges Europe faces due to crises in the East.
“History shows that smaller countries like Hungary or Bahrain can excel on the global stage when they employ smart, adaptive strategies that leverage their unique strengths, balance, and traditions.”
He also outlined Hungary’s efforts to modernise its military forces using advanced technologies, enhance its defence industry, and protect national interests amid current challenges and opportunities for collaboration and growth.
The Chief of the Joint Staff of Brazil, spoke about the impact of technological revolutions, including artificial intelligence and robotics, on addressing military challenges.
He noted the importance of modernising military capabilities and developing training to confront emerging challenges while highlighting the need for high-level collaboration across sectors for effective decision-making.
The admiral emphasised the Amazon region as a natural defence frontier and the necessity of prioritising peace and regional stability.
He reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to dialogue and avoiding militarisation.
During the session, speakers also examined the dimensions of recent wars and their effects on the region, noting the importance of closely monitoring military and political developments.
Daniel Shapiro, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, highlighted the United States’ ongoing commitment to fostering regional security and strategic cooperation during his address at the 20th Manama Dialogue.
He underscored the enduring partnership between Bahrain and the United States, particularly in defense, commending Bahrain’s progress under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad.
Shapiro discussed the US-Bahrain Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), signed in September 2023, which promotes collaboration not only in defense but also in science and technology, and other areas of common interest among the participating countries.
“This agreement contributes to a regional security architecture to promote peace and stability,” he noted, adding that the announcement on the accession of the UK’s to the agreement demonstrates its expanding impact.
“Working together in coalitions to solve shared problems is something the United States does with allies and partners in every region of the world, but it’s particularly important here in the Middle East,” he stated.
Shapiro concluded by reaffirming the US commitment to strengthening regional partnerships and addressing shared security challenges.
