WASHINGTON -- U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner; Australian Deputy Secretary of Defence Strategy, Policy, and Industry Group Hugh Jeffrey; Canadian Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy) Peter Hammerschmidt, United Kingdom Director General for Security Policy Paul Wyatt; and New Zealand Ministry of Defence Deputy Secretary Policy & Planning Richard Schmidt convened a meeting of “Five Eyes” (FVEY) senior defense policy officials on the margins of the Shangri-La Dialogue, today in Singapore.

The group discussed their nations’ shared values and unwavering commitment to uphold the rules based international order. They exchanged views on regional security and reaffirmed the importance of continuing to work together to enhance their collective resilience and that of the region. Officials welcomed the opportunity to discuss developments in the strategic environment and committed to a future meeting at a mutually agreeable date.