- Calls for collective action including on environmental concerns, lawful ocean use, freedom of navigation, marine conservation, blue econ.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stressed the need for collective action to address geopolitical competition, environmental concerns, illegal migration, and other non-traditional maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean region.
The Navy, under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence, inaugurated the 12th edition of the Galle Dialogue International Maritime Conference yesterday (24). The inaugural ceremony held at the Navy Hall in Welisara was presided over by the Premier.
Emphasising the promotion of lawful ocean use, the freedom of navigation, marine conservation, and the blue economy, she noted that the 2025 theme of the conference, ‘Maritime Outlook of the Indian Ocean under Changing Dynamics’ is timely in the context of emerging geopolitical trends.
The conference which ends today (25) brings together leading maritime experts and representatives from 37 nations and 16 international organisations. The forum is structured around four sessions, focusing on five key thematic areas: the marine environment, maritime governance, the maritime economy, maritime sustainability, and a clean Indian Ocean.
In this backdrop, safeguarding the Indian Ocean demands a united effort and Sri Lanka, together with coastal States and global maritime stakeholders, shares this responsibility. The Galle Dialogue provides a stage to exchange ideas, strengthen cooperation, and shape collective responses to emerging maritime challenges.
Delivering the welcome address, the Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda underscored the Navy’s pivotal role in ensuring maritime security and safety, aligned with the national policy of fostering environmental, social, and ethical transformation.
On the sidelines of the conference, Banagoda engaged in bilateral discussions with the Chief of Naval Staff of India, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi along with senior naval officers, defense chiefs, and maritime experts from the Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies, Thailand, the Netherlands, Russia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Australia and Singapore.