47 Countries to Attend 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore

The annual forum, which began in 2002, has provided a valuable, open and neutral” platform for the exchange of perspectives on defence and security issues and initiatives over the years, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on the evening of May 29.

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Forty-seven countries, including 40 minister-level delegates, will attend the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), which takes place at the Shangri-La Hotel from May 30 to June 1.

French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to deliver this year's keynote speech on the evening of May 30.

This is the first time a European leader will give the keynote address at the annual security forum, and comes as Singapore and France commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is also set to make an address. His special address will be on the afternoon of May 31.

The dialogue is organised by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), and is Asia's premier defence summit to discuss critical security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.

The 2024 dialogue was attended by representatives from 45 countries, so the 47 in 2025 would mark a broader international showing.