Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan yesterday launched the annual Halifax International Security Forum by underscoring the timely importance of bringing together key defence leaders to discuss a number of pressing global security issues.

“I am pleased to welcome defence leaders from around the world to Canada for this year’s Halifax International Security Forum," the minister said. "In this era of increased and continuous interconnectivity, we must continue to work closely together at all levels, to share ideas, information, and our visions of a peaceful and secure world, and I look forward to the valuable opportunity to do so this weekend.” 

The Forum, which provides opportunities for Canadian stakeholders to engage global leaders and partners on current defence and security challenges, connects more than 300 defence leaders from around the world including Canadian and international figures from government, military, academia, media, as well as the private sector. Over the three days, discussions will cover a wide range of scheduled topics, including the security situation in Central and Eastern Europe, the ongoing instability in the Middle East, terrorism, and the security implications of energy and natural resource shortages, among many others.

Participants include senior officials such as international Ministers of Defence, members of the U.S. Congress, and other elected and military officials from allied and partner nations. As such, the Forum provides an excellent setting for the Minister of National Defence to host bilateral meetings with his counterparts from across the globe.

The Forum is available live at http://halifaxtheforum.org and runs until Sunday, November 22, 2015.