Moscow: Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), addressed the “XIV International Meeting of High-Ranking Officials Responsible for Security Matters” in Moscow, focusing on emerging global security challenges within a multipolar world order.

According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the Defence Secretary highlighted the Indian Ocean’s increasing geopolitical importance and advocated for its maintenance as a zone of peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity. He stressed the need for freedom of navigation, respect for international law, and constructive dialogue to prevent regional rivalries from escalating into conflicts.

The Defence Secretary pointed out that the evolving multipolar world presents both challenges and opportunities, as multiple centers of power are reshaping global political, economic, technological, and security dynamics. He emphasized that contemporary security challenges extend beyond traditional military concerns, citing economic instability, food and energy insecurity, disinformation, and the misuse of emerging technologies as interconnected threats.

He called for a comprehensive approach to security that involves resilience, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation. The Defence Secretary also underscored the importance of international cooperation, intelligence sharing, and collective action in addressing modern security threats like terrorism, cybercrime, maritime insecurity, and climate-related risks.

Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to non-alignment and peaceful coexistence, he noted the critical role smaller states play in promoting dialogue, trust, and regional stability in an increasingly complex global environment. The international forum saw participation from numerous countries and international organizations worldwide.