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Pacific Amphibious Leaders Conclude Symposium Stronger Together

11 July 2025

From 1st Lt. Shannon ONeill, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

MANILA, Philippines — Lt. Gen. James Glynn, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and the 37th Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, Maj. Gen. Vicente Blanco, concluded the 11th annual Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium with a closing ceremony in Manila, Philippines, July 10, 2025.
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The 37th Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, Maj. Gen. Vicente Blanco, gives remarks during the closing ceremony at the 11th iteration of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium, Manila, Philippines, July 10, 2025. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among Allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year’s symposium hosted senior leaders from 23 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Moses S. Lopez Franco)
The 37th Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, Maj. Gen. Vicente Blanco, gives remarks during the closing ceremony at the 11th iteration of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium, Manila, Philippines, July 10, 2025. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among Allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year’s symposium hosted senior leaders from 23 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Moses S. Lopez Franco)
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn, left, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, receives the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 25 flag from U.S. Navy Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, during the closing ceremony at the 11th iteration of PALS, Manila, Philippines, July 10, 2025. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among Allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year’s symposium hosted senior leaders from 23 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Moses S. Lopez Franco)
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn, left, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, receives the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 25 flag from U.S. Navy Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, during the closing ceremony at the 11th iteration of PALS, Manila, Philippines, July 10, 2025. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among Allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year’s symposium hosted senior leaders from 23 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Moses S. Lopez Franco)
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn, right, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, clips a symbolic pin onto the 37th Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, Maj. Gen. Vicente Blanco, during the closing ceremony at the 11th iteration of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium, Manila, Philippines, July 10, 2025. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among Allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year’s symposium hosted senior leaders from 23 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Moses S. Lopez Franco)
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn, right, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, clips a symbolic pin onto the 37th Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, Maj. Gen. Vicente Blanco, during the closing ceremony at the 11th iteration of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium, Manila, Philippines, July 10, 2025. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among Allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year’s symposium hosted senior leaders from 23 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Moses S. Lopez Franco)
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, gives remarks during the closing ceremony at the 11th iteration of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium, Manila, Philippines, July 10, 2025. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among Allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year’s symposium hosted senior leaders from 23 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Moses S. Lopez Franco)
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, gives remarks during the closing ceremony at the 11th iteration of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium, Manila, Philippines, July 10, 2025. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among Allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year’s symposium hosted senior leaders from 23 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Moses S. Lopez Franco)


Allied and partnered amphibious and maritime leaders invested in upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific attended this year’s symposium and participated in key leader engagements, panel discussions, and briefs throughout the week.

“The Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium continues to strengthen the bonds that enable integrated deterrence and collective strength across the region,” Lt. Gen. Glynn commented. “Our shared commitment to cooperation, innovation, and mutual trust ensures we remain a unified force, capable of meeting today’s challenges and tomorrow’s uncertainties. The Indo-Pacific’s stability depends on our persistent effort and unified resolve at every level - from individual excellence to strategic alignment.”

 


Some key topics discussed throughout the symposium included maintaining technological advantage in littoral operations, the role of information in supporting decision-making, and the enforcement of international laws to safeguard maritime sovereignty. Delegates also examined the versatility of amphibious forces in expeditionary operations, logistical challenges in disaster relief from sea to shore, and the integration of joint and combined capabilities to enhance interoperability. In addition to these discussion topics, delegations received a brief on technology-based solutions for maritime domain awareness and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Following the ceremony, delegates participated in a cultural tour through Intramuros, Manila’s historic walled city. The immersive experience featured guided visits to iconic landmarks, offering a deeper understanding of the Philippines’ rich heritage and enduring legacy.

The PALS motto, “Stronger together” serves as a reminder that regular collaboration among allies and partners is the foundation of our ability to respond to crises, compete in uncertainty, and win in conflict.

“Over the past few days, we’ve engaged in meaningful dialogue, exchanged best practices, and explored innovative strategies to address both global and regional challenges. Let us carry forward the momentum of PALS 2025, not as individual forces, but as a unified and resilient network of allies and partners.” Maj. Gen. Vicente Blanco



This year marks the first time the Republic of the Philippines co-hosted the event. The growing list of co-hosts demonstrates the depth of commitment among our allies and partners to a more capable combined force across the Indo-Pacific.

Established by MARFORPAC in 2015, PALS continues serving as the premier annual gathering of regional amphibious and maritime force leaders across the Indo-Pacific. The relationships strengthened at PALS are the cornerstone of a free and open Indo-Pacific for all nations. This year’s symposium hosted delegations from 23 countries including: Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, France, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific is the largest operational command in the Marine Corps. Pacific Marines serve as an expeditionary force-in-readiness, and they operate as air-ground-logistics teams and are forward positioned and actively employed throughout the Indo-Pacific every day.


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PALS 25 queries can be directed via e-mail to 1st Lt. Shannon O’Neill, MARFORPAC COMMSTRAT, shannon.oneill.mil@usmc.mil. Additional media queries can be directed via e-mail to marforpaccommstrat@usmc.mil. The PALS feature page on DVIDS will provide imagery daily for use and distribution: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/PALS.

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