The NATO Association of Canada, in partnership with student organizations based in Memorial University of Newfoundland, namely the Political Science Graduate Students’ Society (MUN PSGSS), Filipino Students’ Association (MUNFILSA), Women in Cybersecurity (WiCys) - MUN Chapter, and Youth Atlantic Treaty Association - North Atlantic Treaty Organization (YATA - NATO) - Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter, successfully launched the inaugural Atlantic Canada Security Policy Forum. This virtual platform aims to raise greater public awareness as regards the latest security developments in the Indo-Pacific region. It seeks to contribute in fostering discussions and debates in Canada on how best the NATO in general, and Canada in particular could deepen its ties with its existing regional partners in the Indo-Pacific, and hence, contribute towards the promotion of collective security and the preservation of the rules-based international order. The event was held on Friday, April 5, 2024 through Zoom, a day after the nationwide commemoration of NATO’s 75th Founding Anniversary.
In attendance were Mr. Robert Baines, President and CEO, Mr. Justin Michael James Dell, Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Mark Davis Madarang Pablo, Program Editor and Lead Project Coordinator, and Mr. Behzad Hakim, Engagement Relations Officer at the NATO Association of Canada. Also in attendance were Ms. Kathleen Katruskha Moreno, Vice President for Academics of MUN PSGSS, Ms. Irene Kim Abrogena, President of MUNFILSA, Dr. Jonathan Anderson, Advisor of Women in Cybersecurity (WiCys) - MUN Chapter, Mr. Mattias Vanderley, President of YATA - NATO Canada, and Mr. Spencer Carew, President of YATA - NATO Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter. The Organizing Committee was honoured and privileged to welcome the following Guest Speakers during the event: Her Excellency Andrelita Austria, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Canada, His Excellency Yamanouchi Kanji, Ambassador of Japan to Canada, and His Excellency Woongsoon Lim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Canada.
Ambassador Austria outlined recent developments in maritime security disputes in the West Philippine Sea, emphasizing its strategic and economic importance as the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) within the South China Sea. She highlighted China's provocative actions, Philippine government responses including upholding the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, and defending sovereign rights in accordance with UNCLOS.
