The Philippine Center of Excellence in Defense, Development, and Security (PCEDS) hosted the Maritime Peace and Seapower Dialogue—with the theme “avoiding war through promoting calm and stable seas”—on 3 March 2023 at the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo.

In partnership with the Australian Embassy and Sea Power Center – Australia, the activity is the Track 1.5 platform of a flagship project of the Center: the Philippine Seapower Initiative, or PSI. The dialogue provided an avenue for practitioners, experts, and leaders to discuss common maritime security concerns and generate ideas that could be considered by governments and regional organizations in advancing peace and security in the Indo-Pacific Region.

Filipino scholars and government officials, as well as delegates from Australia, France, the Republic of Korea, and the United States, tackled various maritime security cooperation initiatives, arrangements, and mechanisms pursued in the last decade. They also delved into the ways to address the gray zone operations and tactics experienced in the region.

In his closing remarks, LtGen Ferdinand M Cartujano PAF(Ret), President of the NDCP, urged the participants to continue working together in having a unified effort to resolve current and emerging maritime issues. “Rest assured that the knowledge and insights that you have shared with us today will be put to good use and will be significant in the development of a maritime security strategy white paper,” LtGen Cartujano said.