CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii –
The 14th annual Indo-Pacific Intelligence Chiefs Conference (IPICC) 2021 kicked off Sept. 5, bringing together military intelligence chiefs from across the Indo-Pacific region in the Maldives to discuss regional issues and shared security challenges.
The IPICC 2021 theme is “Overcoming Global Intelligence Challenges through Partnership” and is co-hosted with the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) Director General for Defence Intelligence.
“The presence of leaders in military intelligence across the Indo-Pacific demonstrates the shared value we place on partnerships and friendships among security minded experts,” said Rear Adm. Mike Studeman, Director for Intelligence, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. “The real value of this forum comes from the opportunity to discuss, debate, and share insights about some of the most important issues of our day. There is no greater purpose than to come together as intelligence leaders as we continue to seek a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
Topics for this year’s conference included: climate change effects on regional stability and military capabilities; terrorism and the threat of returning foreign fighters; maritime security challenges; grey zone challenges and strategic competition. Participants also discussed their top areas of concern as a way to strengthen shared understanding and enhance partnerships.
“Looking ahead, we must continue to seek innovative ways to form new partnerships via our unique strengths and mutual desire to enhance regional security and stability. I would like to applaud the Maldives National Defence force and United States Indo-Pacific Command for showing initiative and resolve to bring us all together to strengthen our partnerships despite challenges faced by the pandemic,” stated Brigadier General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, Director General of Defence Intelligence and IPICC Co-Host.
IPICC is an annual executive level forum for the Directors of Military Intelligence (DMIs) from across the Indo-Pacific region. IPICC is co-hosted by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Director for Intelligence and a rotating partner nation in order to foster shared understanding of regional issues, and advance multilateral and regional security cooperation on areas of interest to each state’s respective Chief of Defense (CHoD).
Participants in this year’s conference included Canada, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.