The Asia Pacific region is inherently maritime by nature. In a broader maritime context, countries across the world are showing greater awareness of their interests in the oceans and seas. Maritime developments in the Asia Pacific feature contestations between the great powers and unilateral responses to competing maritime interests. An inclusive maritime region founded upon international rules and norms lay the foundation for safe and secure seas, which is crucial for the region’s continued growth and prosperity.
As such, the theme of the Conference — “Safe and Secure Seas: Mutual Security in Our Maritime Commons” — underlines the importance of an open and inclusive regional security architecture, strengthening collaborative partnerships and maintaining a rules-based maritime order. This endeavor not only allows Asia Pacific countries to deal with common maritime challenges but also promotes mutual security, such that countries do not pursue their national maritime interests at the expense of others’ security needs.
It is through such an approach that Asia Pacific countries are better positioned to pool together their collective strengths to effectively address existing and emerging challenges threatening the maritime commons. It also helps promote better mutual understanding of and empathy for one another’s national security predicaments, thus helping to build and rebuild confidence and trust towards preserving a peaceful and stable Asia Pacific maritime domain.
The conference will also invite academics to share their assessment on whether the current rules-based maritime order is under threat, and consider ways to maintain its integrity.
You may find the Keynote Address delivered by Minister for Trade & Industry Mr Chan Chun Sing at the 6th International Maritime Security Conference Opening Dinner here.
Rear Admiral (RADM) Lew Chuen Hong was enlisted into the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 1995 and was awarded the SAF Overseas Scholarship. He graduated with a Bachelors (Honours and Distinction) and Masters in Biology from Stanford University, USA.
RADM Lew served in various shipboard appointments – as Navigation Officer, Communications Officer and Principal Warfare Officer on board the Missile Corvettes. He was awarded the SAF Overseas Service Medal in 2005 for his role as Operations Officer of Singapore’s deployment to the North Arabian Gulf, supporting the re-construction of Iraq. He attended the US Naval War College and subsequently assumed command of the Missile Corvette RSS Vengeance.
In 2008, RADM Lew was seconded to the Ministry of Trade & Industry (MTI) as Director of the Research & Enterprise Division. He oversaw two main portfolios – policies on R&D as a key pillar of Singapore’s knowledge-driven economy; and creating a conducive business environment for Enterprises. He was awarded the Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship in 2010, and graduated with a Masters in Management as a Sloan Fellow of the Stanford Graduate School of Business, USA.
RADM Lew was appointed Deputy Commander, Maritime Security Task Force in 2011. He then served in the Ministry of Defence as Head Joint Manpower in 2012, then Head Joint Plans and Transformation in 2013. RADM Lew was appointed Fleet Commander in 2014 during which he commanded the principal warfighting assets of the Navy. He became Chief of Staff – Naval Staff in September 2016.
RADM Lew had served on the Board of Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Board of Governors for Republic Polytechnic, and Chair of the School of Applied Science Advisory Board. He is currently a Board member of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
RADM Lew assumed the appointment of Chief of Navy on 16 Jun 2017.
RADM Lew is happily married to Lavon and they have three children – Emma, Ethan and Ean.
Correct as of 15 May 2019
Tommy Koh is currently Professor of Law at NUS; Ambassador-At-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Rector of the Tembusu College at NUS; Chairman of the Governing Board of the Centre for International Law at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Special Adviser to IPS. He is the Chairman of the International Advisory Panel of the Asia Research Institute (NUS) and Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Master’s Degree on Environmental Management (NUS). He is also the Co-chairman of the Asian Development Bank’s Advisory Committee on Water and Sanitation. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the SymAsia Foundation of Credit Suisse (pro bono).
He had served as Dean of the Faculty of Law of NUS, Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador to the United States of America, High Commissioner to Canada and Ambassador to Mexico. He was President of the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea. He was also the Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for and the Main Committee of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit). He was the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy to Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. He was the founding Chairman of the National Arts Council, founding Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation and former Chairman of the National Heritage Board. He was Singapore’s Chief Negotiator in negotiating an agreement to establish diplomatic relations between Singapore and China. He was also Singapore’s Chief Negotiator for the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. He acted as Singapore’s Agent in two legal disputes with Malaysia. He has chaired two dispute panels for the WTO. He is the Co-Chairman of the China-Singapore Forum and the Japan-Singapore Symposium.
Professor Koh has received awards from the Governments of Singapore, Chile, Finland, France, Japan, Netherlands, Spain and the United States. Professor Koh received the Champion of the Earth Award from UNEP and the inaugural President’s Award for the Environment from Singapore. He was conferred with honorary doctoral degrees in law by Yale and Monash Universities. Harvard University conferred on him the Great Negotiator Award in 2014.
Correct as of 15 May 2019
RADM DR. Amarullah Octavian, S.T., M.Sc., DESD, graduated from the Indonesian Naval Academy in 1988. He was a former aide to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (2009), and later served as KAS GUSPURLABAR (2012), DAN GUSPURLABAR (2013) and lastly as Dean of the Unhan RI Defence Management Faculty (2016) before assuming appointment as Commandant Indonesian Navy Command and Staff College.
Since 2003, RADM Octavian was a permanent lecture at the Indonesian Navy College of Technology (STTAL) and became a permanent lecturer at SESKOAL in 2008. In 2013, RADM Octavian obtained the academic rank of Associate Professor (LEKTOR) and became the permanent lecturer at the Indonesian University of Defence (UNHAN) focusing on Maritime Security Sociology, Maritime Security and Defence Industries.
In 2001, RADM Octavian earned his Bachlor’s Degree from STTAL, and his Master’sDegree from the University of Paris in 2006, before obtaining his Doctorate from the Indonesian University in 2012. He was also a member of the Indonesian official delegation several times at several international events in ASEAN, the European Union and International Maritime Organization (IMO).
He was also guest lecturer at the Japan National Defence Academy, the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, the Romanian National Defence University and the Chinese PLANational Defence University. In additional to contributing to several international journals, RADM Octavian’s 2 books have been translated into English, namely “The Military Sociology and Globalization: Studies of Military Sociology in the Context of Gloalization and its Contribution to the Transformation of TNI” in 2013, and “Pirates Between Aden and Malacca” in 2016.
He is the recipient of the Dharma Vidhya Adhiguna Star, Dharma Wiratama and Star Bintang Wibawa Seroja Nugraha, and was also the best graduates of STTAL (2001), SESKOAL (2003) and RI National Resilience Institute (LEMHANNAS) (2016)
Correct as of 15 May 2019
Captain (Retd) Tian Shichen, better known with his penname Liu Haiyang, is also a research fellow at the Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies, Nanjing University. In his capacity as a research fellow, he has published extensively on the law of the sea, maritime security and international politics. During his active-duty years and in his capacity as a legal advisor to the PLA, he participated in Sino-US Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) talks and many other SOFA talks with foreign militaries. In particular, he is the legal advisor on Chinese side for Sino-US Consultation on Rules Governing Maritime and Air Encounters.
Correct as of 15 May 2019
Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1984, trained as a seaman officer and then subsequently completed Principal Warfare Officers course and specialised in Air Direction and Above Water Warfare.
Throughout his career, he had experience in a wide range of Navy and ADF operations through various sea and shore posting and operational roles. Highlights have included deployments to the Middle East, Southern Ocean and being the Commissioning Commanding Officer of the ANZAC class frigate HMAS Parramatta.
He has fulfilled leadership positions at all levels of the Australian Defence Force, with senior positions including the Director of Military Strategic Commitments, Director General of Operations at HQJOC, Command of Maritime Border Command and Deputy Chief of Navy.
In June 2018, he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of his distinguished service in significant senior ADF command roles.
Vice Admiral Noonan assumed command of the Royal Australian Navy on
7 July 2018 and is the 32nd professional head of the Australian Navy, and the 9th officer to hold the title of Chief of Navy Australia. In this role, he is entrusted by Government to be its principal naval advisor, and to raise, train and sustain Australia’s naval forces to execute maritime missions in a dynamic region.
He is married to Jan, also a serving naval officer, and they have two daughters.
Correct as of 15 May 2019
First Admiral Hj Othman Bin Hj Suhaili@Suhaily, SMB, PSB, MSc, mpat, psc, pwo, was born on 19 April 1970. He joined the Royal Brunei Navy as a Cadet on 17 March 1989. He is a graduate from The Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, Pakistan Naval War College (Command and Staff) and Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College. He was appointed Deputy Commander of Royal Brunei Navy on 6 March 2015, a post he held before taking his current appointment as the Commander of Royal Brunei Navy on 19 April 2019.
Throughout his service, he held numerous command and staff appointments such as Commanding Officer KDB PEMBURU (Coastal Patrol Craft), KDB SETERIA (Missile Gun Boat) and Coastal Patrol Craft Squadron Commander and on May 16 2011 he assumed command as RBN Fleet Commander. His staff appointments have included Military Assistant to Commander Royal Brunei Armed Forces from 2007 to 2009 and Defence Adviser of Brunei Darussalam to Malaysia from 2012 to 2013.
He is married to Nazatul Shima Haji C.A Mohamed and blessed with 3 sons and 1 daughter. He is an avid golfer, loves jogging and enjoys reading.
Educated in Viborg Secondary School, Torben Mikkelsen completed his National Service within the ranks of the Danish Army’s Zealand Life Regiment.
Correct as of 15 May 2019
Date of Birth 11 October 1956
1976 – Joined the Navy
1977 – 1980 Diploma in Education, Bundeswehr University
1981 – 1986 Watch Officer aboard submarines
1986 – 1989 Commanding Officer, Submarine U 22
1989 – 1990 Tactical Officer Training for Maritime Operations (Advanced Antisubmarine Warfare Training Course)
1990 – 1992 32nd Admiral Staff Officer Course, Bundeswehr Command and Staff College, Hamburg
1992 – 1993 Operational Planning Officer, Submarine Flotilla (A31)
1993 – 1996 Tours of duty in Naval Staff and in Armed Forces Staff (Federal Ministry of Defence, Bonn)
1996 – 1999 Commander, Submarine Training Centre, Kiel
1999 – 2001 Chief of Branch, Joint Headquarters North East, Karup
2001 – 2003 Chief of Branch, Naval Staff, Bonn
2003 – 2004 Assistant Branch Chief, Armed Forces Staff, Operational C2 (Division V), Federal Ministry of Defence, Bonn
2004 – 2006 Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Concepts, Planning and C2 (Division III), Federal Ministry of Defence, Bonn
2006 – 2008 Commander, Flotilla 1, Kiel
2008 – 2009 Deputy Commander German Fleet, Fleet Command, Gluecksburg
2009 – 2012 Director Joint Operations Staff, Ministry of Defence, Berlin
2012 – 2013 Deputy Commander Allied Maritime Command, Naples
2013 – 2014 Vice Chief German Navy, German Navy Headquarters, Rostock
since 11 / 2014 Chief German Navy, German Navy Headquarters, Rostock
Correct as of 15 May 2019
EDUCATION (GRADUATION):
1984 National Defense Academy
1985 MSDF Officer Candidate School
1997 Master Course for Area Study, University of Tsukuba
2004 Commander Course, US Naval War College
MAJOR ASSIGNMENT:
2009 Commander, Escort Flotilla 4
2011 Deputy Director General, Administration Department, MSO
2012 Chief of Staff, Commander Fleet Escort Force
2013 Director, Defense Plans and Policy Department (J-5), JSO
2015 Commander, Fleet Escort Force
2016 Vice Chief of Staff, Maritime Staff Office
2019 Present Assignment
Correct as of 15 May 2019
Educated in Viborg Secondary School, Torben Mikkelsen completed his National Service within the ranks of the Danish Army’s Zealand Life Regiment.
Joining the Royal Danish Navy in 1984 as a midshipman he was commissioned as a Lieutenant from the Royal Danish Naval Academy in 1987.
As a junior officer he served primarily on board the corvettes of the NIELS JUEL-class and qualified here as Navigational Officer and subsequently as Principal Warfare Officer. He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1992. He saw service in the Baltic Sea where he participated as an Executive Officer on board the patrol vessel HDMS P554 MAKRELEN in the search and rescue operation surrounding the sinking of the Polish ferry M/S Jan Hewliusz. The crew of HDMS MAKRELEN was honoured by the Polish Government with the Polish Order of Self-sacrifice and Courage. Torben Mikkelsen also saw service on board corvettes during Operation Sharp Guard in 1994 in the Adriatic Sea.
Upon returning to Danish waters he was privileged to be given command of the patrol vessel HDMS P552 HAVKATTEN (ASW).
Completing Maritime Courses in Canada and the United Kingdom he was selected to Senior Staff Course at the Danish Defense Academy and subsequently promoted to Commander.
Shore appointments at the Danish Defense Commands Personel Branch followed his promotion before he returned to operational duty at the Danish Task Group as Staff Operations Officer and afterwards as Chief of Staff.
Torben Mikkelsen was selected to become Division (21) Commander and promoted to Commander, senior grade upon assuming command of the corvette HDMS F356 PETER TORDENSKIOLD.
He was appointed Knight of the Order of Dannebrog in 2006 and appointed to Knight of the Order of Dannebrog, 1st degree four years later. In 2018 he was appointed Commander of the Order of Dannebrog.
After completing the Naval Command Course at United States Naval War College he returned to the Danish Defence Command J3 and J32 branch. He served a short period at the Admiral Danish Fleet Headquarters as Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations and Logistics during which he was promoted to Captain (N). During 2010-13 he served as Chief for the Excecutive Office at the Defence Command.
Torben Mikkelsen was selected to become Commander, 2. (DNK) Squadron. During his service he was appointed Commander Task Group 420.01 with the task of removing of chemical agents from Syria in 2014 (OPRECSYR).
Following duty as Commander, 2. Squadron, Torben Mikkelsen was assigned as Commander, Danish Task Group and promoted to Commodore. He was appointed Commander, Task Group 1100.01, to remove chemical agents from Libya (OPRECLIB).
Promoted to Rear Admiral, he assumed the duties and responsibilities as Chief of Danish Naval Staff on 1 June 2017 – as of 1 January 2019 Admiral Danish Fleet, Royal Danish Navy Command.
Torben Mikkelsen and his wife Kirsten have two twin sons, and live between the hills and forests in the northeastern part of Zealand.
During his spare time he enjoys riding motor cycles and motocross bikes, racing on tracks and fields throughout Europe.
Correct as of 15 May 2019
Rear Admiral David Proctor was born in Napier, New Zealand. He joined the Royal New Zealand Navy as a Midshipman in January 1987.
Rear Admiral Proctor has held a number of senior logistics posts during his career, including operational logistics appointments at sea and overseas. He has significant procurement and commercial experience working with industry to deliver support for military outcomes. His operational service includes deployment to the Solomon Islands and being deployed as the Chief of Logistics, United Nations Mission in Support of East Timor. He was also the New Zealand Senior National Officer during this deployment.
In a staff capacity, Rear Admiral Proctor’s early shore based appointments were primarily in the Human Resources arena. He was awarded the inaugural Deputy Chief of Navy Commendation for his performance as Deputy Director Naval Personnel Services. This role was responsible for drafting and oversighting the implementation of navy personnel policy and contributing to the development of NZDF strategic personnel policy. In 2000-01 he was the Acting Support Branch Personnel Officer responsible for delivering strategic human resource outcomes in the RNZN’s support branch, including posting and career management of ratings. Rear Admiral Proctor has recent staff experience in capability development and delivery, having been appointed as Deputy Assistant Chief of Capability and Director Capability Portfolio Planning in 2013-14.
Promoted to Commodore and appointed Commander Logistics in December 2015, in March 2017 he was posted at short notice as Chief of Defence Strategy and Governance. This appointment saw him as a member of the NZDF Executive and as a permanent advisor to the NZDF Board.
Rear Admiral Proctor assumed the role of Deputy Commander Joint Force New Zealand in February 2018, and then Chief of Navy in November 2018.
Rear Admiral Proctor has a Masters in Management (Defence Studies), a Masters in Politics and Policy, and is a fellow of the Centre for Defence Strategic Studies. He is a member of the Kapiti Branch of the RNZRSA and is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.
David is married to Wendy Proctor. They have two children Joshua (in the RNZAF) and Emma (Otago University – Bachelor of Physical Education).
Correct as of 15 May 2019
RADM ROBERT A EMPEDRAD AFP took the helm of the Philippine Navy on 19 December 2017, designating him as the 37th Flag Office In Command, Philippine Navy.
Born on 03 February 1964 to a humble family in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. RADM EMPEDRAD began his primary education at Tuguegarao North Central School. He then completed his secondary education at Cagayan National High School, Tuguegarao, Cagayan. He studied Civil Engineering in Saint Louis University, Baguio City before he successfully passed the qualifications for admission to the Philippine Military Academy, Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City in 1982.
RADM EMPEDRAD is a proud member of PMA “Sinagtala” Class of 1986. Aside from the formal education he acquired from PMA, he also studied other specialized courses. He completed Master in Business Administration at Philippine Christian University, Dasmarinas, Cavite City and US Naval Staff Course at US Naval War College, New Port, Rhode Island, USA.
As an accomplished sailor and commander, he was entrusted to be the Commanding Officer of various Philippine Navy vessels such as BRP FELIX APOLINARIO (PG-395), BRP ABRAHAM CAMPO (PG- 396), BRP MAGAT SALAMAT (PS20), BRP ILOILO (PS32) and BRP DAGUPAN CITY (LC 551).
With competence and versatility, he successfully headed the Naval Task Groups of Naval Forces Western Mindanao such as NTG 62, NTG 62.1 and NTG 62.2 and the Naval Task Force Sea Hawk, Naval Task Group 72 of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao which efficiently and effectively responded during the onslaught of Typhoon Pablo. He had also occupied various positions of major responsibility in the Philippine Navy, among which are Chief of Staff of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (2006-2007),Director, Naval Operations Center (2007), Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Intelligence, N2 (2007-2009), Deputy Commander of Naval Intelligence Security Force (2009), Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Personnel, N1 (2009-2011), Deputy Commander of Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (2011-2013), Commander, Bonifacio Naval Station (2013-2015), the Commander, Offshore Combat Force, Philippine Fleet (Feb 2015 – Dec 2016),the Deputy, Commander Philippine Fleet (Dec 2016 –Feb 2017) and currently the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retirees Affairs, J9 at General Headquarters, AFP since Feb 2017 up to present.
With proven competency in his career track record, he was designated in various collateral assignments, among these are membership and chairmanship of the different boards of Philippine Navy and the Chairman of Defense Acquisition System Assessment Team (DASAT) which oversees the ongoing upgrades of PN vessels and the Frigate Acquisition project of the PN under the AFP Modernization Program.
As an accomplished surface warfare officer, he received numerous awards as follows; seven (7) Distinguished Service Stars, two (2) Gawad Sa Kaunlaran, two (2) Distinguish Navy Cross, two (2) Bronze Cross Medal, two (2) Military Merit Medals with Spearhead Device, 27 Military Merit Medals, 5 Military Commendation Medals, Numerous Campaign Medals, Civic Action Medals, various badges, plaques and certifications.
As a leader, he is humble and well-disciplined because he listens to his subordinates and fellow officers and is very particular with rules and order of things especially the way a person behaves. Although he is a disciplinarian he is an easy and fun to work with and very approachable too. He stands for what is right. As a person, he is a private and optimistic person.
RADM EMPEDRAD AFP has imbibed and lived by the core values of Courage, Integrity, and Loyalty which had served as the cornerstone of his progressive military career. Above all these, he always trusts God in everything he does. Bob to his friends, is happily married to Blessilda and they are blessed with an only child, Jelome.
Correct as of 15 May 2019
Admiral John Richardson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He holds master’s degrees in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and National Security Strategy from the National War College.
At sea, Richardson served on USS Parche (SSN 683), USS George C. Marshall (SSBN 654) and USS Salt Lake City (SSN 716). He commanded USS Honolulu (SSN 718) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Richardson also served as commodore of Submarine Development Squadron (DEVRON) 12; commander, Submarine Group 8; commander, Submarine Allied Naval Forces South; deputy commander, U.S. 6th Fleet; chief of staff, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa; commander, Naval Submarine Forces, and director of Naval Reactors.
His staff assignments include duty in the attack submarine division on the Chief of Naval Operations staff; naval aide to the President; prospective commanding officer instructor for Commander, Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; assistant deputy director for Regional Operations on the Joint Staff; and director of Strategy and Policy at U.S. Joint Forces Command.
Richardson served on teams that have been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Navy Unit Commendation, and the Navy “E” Ribbon. He was awarded the Vice Admiral Stockdale Award for his time in command of USS Honolulu.
Richardson began serving as the 31st Chief of Naval Operations September 18, 2015.
Correct as of 15 May 2019
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