U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand -- Rear Admiral (retired) Pete Gumataotao, Director of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS), will visit Thailand from July 18-22. Director Gumataotao will lead a delegation of APCSS faculty who will support the 2022 Senior Security Studies Program (SSSP), organized by the Royal Thai Armed Forces’ Strategic Studies Center (SSC) of the National Defence Studies Institute. This visit, which marks the third joint conference between APCSS and SSC, will bring together 50 mid-to-executive-level security practitioners from military, civilian, and academic agencies to share best practices in security, disaster management, and humanitarian relief.

On Friday, July 22, APCSS Director Gumataotao, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Michael Heath, and Thailand APCSS Alumni President/RTARF Chief of the Joint Staff General Nothapol Boonngam will preside over an APCSS alumni event to recognize Thailand’s APCSS alumni at the National Defence Studies Institute in Bangkok. With over 450 alumni of APCSS courses, Thailand has the largest alumni network in the region. Through APCSS, U.S. and Thai security practitioners build capacity, improve mutual understanding, and strengthen relationships among civilian and military leaders and institutions to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Founded in 1995, the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is a U.S. Department of Defense institute that addresses regional and global security issues. Military and civilian decision makers, most from U.S. and Asia-Pacific nations, participate in a comprehensive program of executive education, professional exchanges and outreach events, both in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. APCSS’ mission is to build capacities and communities of interest by educating, connecting, and empowering security practitioners to advance Asia-Pacific security. It is one of the Department of Defense’s five regional security studies centers.

APCSS Director Rear Admiral (Ret) Pete Gumataotao, a native of Guam, is a 1981 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and earned his Master of Arts degree in National Security Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College in 1994. Director Gumataotao has extensive experience operating globally during 37 years of active duty service, including eight years as a U.S. Navy flag officer.