BALI, Indonesia–Senior military and defense leaders from 34 nations and representatives from international organizations are gathering in Bali, Indonesia to attend U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s 34th annual International Military Law and Operations Conference (MILOPS 23) from July 31 – Aug 3.

The theme for MILOPS 23 is “Cooperating to Defend the Rules Based International Order in the Indo-Pacific.” Consistent with this theme, MILOPS 23 participants will engage with leading experts and contribute to panel discussions and practical exercises to expand cooperation and uphold international law, rules, and norms. 

Keynote speakers at this year’s conference include Admiral John C. Aquilino, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command; Muhammad Herindra, Deputy Minister of Defense for the Republic of Indonesia; the Honorable Dr. Kevin Rudd, Australian Ambassador to the United States and former Prime Minister of Australia; and the Honorable Yohannes Abraham, U.S. Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

Topics for discussion at MILOPS 23 will include a range of serious and sustained challenges to the rules-based international order, such as Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and its implications on Indo-Pacific security; excessive maritime and territorial claims in the South China Sea; and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing. MILOPS 23 will address these challenges through activities that forge person-to-person ties, build consensus on the rule of law, and establish mechanisms for continued collaboration. 

MILOPS is an annual executive-level forum co-hosted with a rotating partner nation. This year’s co-host is the Indonesian Ministry of Defense.