DHARAMSHALA: At the invitation of the organisers, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected political leader of the Tibetan people, attended the Halifax International Security Forum from 20 – 22 November.

At the forum, Sikyong participated in the panel discussion “From India to Japan: The Importance of Democratic Asia” along with experts on democracy and prominent leaders from Asia. Dr. Daniel Twining, Senior Fellow for Asia, German Marshall Fund of the United States hosted the panel.

During the panel discussion, Sikyong spoke on the universality of democracy and China being the new frontier, particularly the need for like minded democracies in Asia to cooperate for common objective of freedom and mutual respect.

The opening speech of the forum was delivered by Mr. Harjit Singh Sajjan, Minister of National Defense, Canada.

Over 300 world leaders and security experts from 60 countries took part in the three-day forum including Mohammed Abulahoum, head of Justice and Building Party, Yemen; General John Allen, Center for 21st Century Security,  NATO generals, high ranking military officials from Asia-Indo Pacific region and governmental ministers including US Senators Tim Kaine, John Barrasso, among others.

The forum deliberated on a wide range of issues, from taking the fight to Daesh on the ground and on the web, to Russia’s and China’s growing military aggression, and the need for the world to accept its collective responsibility to welcome refugees fleeing conflict zones.

Sikyong’s panel was off the record and therefore it was not allowed to take pictures or record their discussions.

Halifax International Security Forum is a non-profit, non-partisan organisation based in Washington, D.C. It brings together informed leaders and engaged decision-makers from governments, military, business, academia, and the media to consider international security threats and build democracy, creating opportunity and promoting peace.