Summary of APPSMO 2019

The 21st APPSMO, organised by IDSS of RSIS, was held at the Village Hotel Changi in Singapore from 29 July to 4 August 2019. Since its inception in 1999, APPSMO has provided a unique and important forum for military officers and defence analysts to network and exchange views on a broad range of subjects related to regional and international security. APPSMO 2019 continued to facilitate defence diplomacy with the attendance of 55 military officers and defence planners from 25 countries representing Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe.

During the week-long programme, the participants attended a series of seminars and discussions that featured experts from the academic, policy and military communities. The theme for APPSMO 2019 was “Security Challenges and Opportunities in the Asia Pacific”. Some of the key topics discussed included visions for the regional security architecture, the military’s role in humanitarian emergencies, emerging technologies and warfare, competing norms and strategic implications, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and power dynamics in the region.

The participants visited the Regional Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (RHCC), Information Fusion Centre (IFC) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). They were brought on a military heritage tour and attended a preview of the National Day Parade. APPSMO 2019 played an important role as an additional conduit of defence diplomacy by facilitating interaction among senior military officers in and beyond the Asia Pacific. It provided an opportunity for participants to foster better understanding of one another as well as the respective countries.