Twenty-six Indo-Pacific nations participated in a virtual Chiefs of Defense forum hosted by Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on February 4, 2025.  The forum focused on aligning regional threat perceptions to strengthen collective security. 

Participants shared their unique sub-regional perspectives, recognizing the importance of understanding diverse priorities. This builds on the previous in-person conference held in Hawaii, September 2024, which emphasized collaboration, interoperability, and the role of non-commissioned officers. 

USINDOPACOM remains committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and ensuring peace through power and, when necessary, fighting to win.

The next in-person Chiefs of Defense Conference will be held in August in Hua Hin, Thailand, co-hosted by General Songwit Noonpakdee.