At the Seoul Defence Dialogue (SDD) 2025, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, underscored the critical role of international cooperation in navigating an increasingly complex security landscape. His remarks came as the rapid pace of technological innovation continues to reshape global defence strategies, with threats extending beyond traditional geographic boundaries.
Addressing a plenary session on “Strengthening Future Security through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technologies,” Mr Zaqy emphasised that the global community must work together to establish norms and guardrails for emerging technologies. “Singapore remains committed to supporting dialogue and collaboration at multilateral and regional levels,” he said. “Dialogue is also essential to drive progress. Without dialogue, there is no trust, no international cooperation, and no collective progress.”
His comments reflect a growing recognition that technological advancements, while transformative, also introduce new vulnerabilities. The session highlighted the need for coordinated efforts to ensure that AI and other emerging technologies are developed and deployed responsibly, with a focus on mitigating risks while maximising their potential benefits for security and defence.
Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements
On the sidelines of the SDD, Mr Zaqy held a series of high-level meetings with key defence leaders, reinforcing Singapore’s commitment to regional and global security cooperation. He met with Republic of Korea (ROK) Vice Minister of National Defence Lee Doo-hee, where both sides reaffirmed strong bilateral defence ties and discussed opportunities for deeper collaboration in military exchanges and defence technology.
Further discussions took place with Sweden’s State Secretary to the Minister for Civil Defence, Johan Berggren, Türkiye’s Deputy Defence Minister, Musa Heybet, Japan’s Minister of Defence, Nakatani Gen, and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien. These meetings focused on regional and global security developments, underscoring the importance of sustained dialogue in addressing shared challenges.
A Platform for Strategic Dialogue
The SDD, organised annually by the ROK Ministry of National Defence, serves as a critical Track 1.5 forum, bringing together officials and experts to deliberate on security challenges in the Asia-Pacific. This year’s theme, “Confronting Geopolitical Challenges: Building Peace through Cooperation,” aligns with the urgent need for collaborative solutions in an era of heightened geopolitical tensions.
Mr Zaqy’s engagements at the SDD highlight Singapore’s proactive approach to defence diplomacy, reinforcing the nation’s role as a trusted partner in regional security. As emerging technologies continue to redefine the battlefield, the emphasis on dialogue and cooperation will be crucial in shaping a more secure and stable future. The SDD 2025 has once again demonstrated that multilateral forums remain indispensable in fostering trust and advancing collective progress in defence and security.