Leaders Converge for International Seapower Symposium in Newport

By Daniel L. Kuester, U.S. Naval War College Public Affairs

The 21st edition of the International Seapower Symposium is underway at the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport with more than 170 representatives from 113 nations attending.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus addressed the group with opening remarks and stressed the importance of conference’s theme: Global Solutions to Common Maritime Challenges.

“In the 21st century, no single nation has the capacity to protect and defend the global system alone. To keep sea lanes open, all nations and people that seek freedom of movement and trade and also security have to carry their own share of the responsibility,” said Mabus.

“A collective effort will assure that our navies provide that necessary presence. Whether in blue water or brown, we can help assure stability and security, creating and strengthening global relationships, providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, deterring adversaries when possible, and meeting and defeating threats wherever necessary. We must remember that collective security is just that, collective.”

Throughout the three-day symposium, naval leaders from around the world will attend presentations and take part in panel discussions relating to current, vital maritime topics such as enhancing coalition operations, future trends in maritime security, and implications of climate change on maritime security. There are also sessions scheduled to address specific geographic challenges navies face.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, sponsor of the event, also addressed the delegates and stressed that international cooperation is crucial to responding to threats such as maritime terrorism, transnational criminal organizations and natural disasters.

“None of us can address these challenges alone. We just don’t have the resources,” said Greenert. “We need a coordinated effort including the resources, skills and awareness of participating navies to meet these challenges. Answers to those challenges start at meetings like this, so the importance of our getting together at this forum cannot be overstated.”

NWC President Rear Adm. P. Gardner Howe welcomed the group in his opening remarks noting that many of those attending the event have previously been to the NWC as students.

“We admire all of you [attendees], and we are especially proud of the 86 delegates in the audience today who are graduates of the Naval War College,” said Howe. “To you 86, welcome back to Newport, and congratulations on your successes. We are confident that the education you received here made a difference.”

Newport is also visited during the week by four Navy ships: joint, high-speed vessel USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2); submarine USS Harford (SSN-768); destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109); and amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD-24).

Established in 1884, the NWC is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. More than 50,000 students have graduated since its first class of nine students in 1885. Approximately 300 of today’s active duty admirals, generals and senior executive service leaders are alumni.

The biennial ISS was first held in 1969 in Newport and was designed to allow naval leaders from around the world to meet and discuss common issues they face, how to address these issues, and ultimately find solutions for them.

Photos of the event can be viewed and downloaded at http://ow.ly/BCq9C. Recorded video can be viewed at http://ow.ly/BCqR4.

(Edited by Daniel S. Marciniak, U.S. Naval War College Public Affairs)

Photo caption: Spanish navy Chief of the Spanish Naval Staff Adm. Jaime Munoz-Delgado, Royal Malaysian navy Chief of Navy Adm. Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar, Brazilian navy Head of Navy Fleet Adm. Julio Soares de Moura Neto, French navy Chief of Naval Staff Adm. Bernard Rogel, and Royal Netherlands navy Commander Vice Adm. Matthieu J.M. Borsboom, participate in the “Enhancing Coalition Operations” discussion panel during the Chief of Naval Operations’ 21st International Seapower Symposium (ISS) at U.S. Navy War College in Newport, Rhode Island. More than 170 senior officers and civilians from more than 100 countries, including many of the senior-most officers from those countries’ navies, are currently attending the biennial event Sept. 16-19. This year’s theme is “Global Solutions to Common Maritime Challenges,” and will feature guest speakers and three panel discussions to explore shared global concerns: “Future Trends in Maritime Security,” “Maritime Implications of Climate Change,” and “Enhancing Coalition Operations.” First held in 1969, ISS has become the largest gathering of maritime leaders in history and provides a forum for senior international leaders to create and solidify solutions to shared challenges and threats in ways that are in the interests of individual nations.

(U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist James E. Foehl/Released)