BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei — The formal opening of the Indo-Pacific Senior Enlisted Leaders Subject Matter Expert Exchange (IPSEL SMEE) 26-1 commenced this week, bringing together over 100 allies and partners from across the globe and marking the first time the premier leadership event has been executed within the region.
The day began with a leadership breakfast hosted by Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi Bin Bol Hassan, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). Esteemed attendees included U.S. Ambassador to Brunei Caryn McClelland, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) Director Suzanne Vares-Lum, and senior enlisted leaders from the U.S. and Brunei. The gathering provided a forum to discuss the critical role of senior enlisted leader development and the importance of regional cooperation.
Following a class photograph, the official program opened with remarks from Haszaimi and Vares-Lum. During the ceremony, Vares-Lum presented the DKI APCSS Laulima Alumni Certificate to RBAF Armed Forces Sgt. Maj. Warrant Officer 1 Rozain Bin Haji Pungut for his leadership in bringing the event to Brunei, the first such award for a Bruneian alumnus.
The academic program, facilitated by DKI APCSS scholars like Andrea Malji, moved into thought-provoking plenary discussions on themes including the “Instruments of National Power” and “Deterrence Under Pressure.” Breakout groups provided further depth, underscoring the diversity of thought from the 20 participating nations, which include Australia, Brunei ,Canada, Colombia, Fiji, France, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The day concluded with an evening reception for DKI APCSS alumni and exchange participants, hosted by McClelland at her residence. Addressing the attendees, Vares-Lum emphasized the strategic importance of the DKI APCSS alumni network and robust regional partnerships. The opening day successfully launched the historic exchange, strengthening relationships and advancing key engagement objectives with global partners.
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