CTC joined experts and stakeholders in the 3rd Regional Maritime Security Symposium in Bali, Indonesia, from February 10-14 2025. This week-long forum organized by the UK Government aimed to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation while enhancing Southeast Asian partners’ resilience against shared maritime threats, including coercion.

Senior officials and representatives from across the Indo-Pacific – including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, and Vietnam – gathered to discuss evolving maritime challenges. The symposium focused on three key themes: exploring UNCLOS and legal measures to resolve disputes; addressing cybersecurity risks impacting maritime operations; and building capacity to counter illegal fishing, climate change, and other critical challenges.

CTC Executive Director Rili Djohani served as Chair for the panel on Climate Change and Maritime Climate Security. The panel featured experts including Dr Kate Salmon (UK Met Office), Professor Pham Thi Thanh Nga (IMHEM, Vietnam), Sharon Seah (Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore) and Hari Kushardanto (RARE, Indonesia). It dived deeper into the maritime risks brought by climate change through a scenario discussion on how warmer sea surface temperatures could trigger security issues following heatwaves, typhoons, and impacts on fisheries, coral reefs, and livelihoods in the region. 

xParticipants also visited CTC to learn how to spread awareness about critical ocean issues. This symposium provided an excellent opportunity to expand vital ties with stakeholders in this sector.

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West, stressed the role of the symposium in strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific, essential for economic growth, peace, and security, noting that only through partnership can these challenges be met.

Photos: Kayla Azzahra/CTC