GREAT Institute: Shangri-La Dialogue Crucial to Navigating Geopolitical Uncertainty

JAKARTA - The Shangri-La Dialogue 2026, which was held in Singapore last weekend, May 29 and 31, 2026, has become a crucial stage for world leaders to navigate global geopolitical uncertainty. This leading defense forum emphasizes the urgency for major countries and regions to defuse conflict escalation amid increasingly fierce strategic competition.

Director of Geopolitics GREAT Institute, Dr. Teguh Santosa, gave high appreciation to the forum held by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Singapore. According to him, the Shangri-La Dialogue has proven itself as an effective strategic platform to bring together diverse views, to be directed towards security stability and a more solid regional development.

In his statement to the editors received on Tuesday, June 2, specifically Dr. Teguh expressed deep appreciation for Indonesia's position in the forum. He assessed Indonesia's step, which has consistently invited all parties to prioritize inclusiveness in maintaining peace, as a real contribution to Indo-Pacific stability.

"Indonesia's inclusive approach is the key to ensuring that this region is not trapped in the dichotomy of great powers," said the lecturer in International Relations at the State Islamic University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.

The Indonesian delegation to the 2026 Shangri-La Forum was led by Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia Donny Ermawan Taufanto. Indonesia's active participation in this forum confirms its commitment to continue to contribute to maintaining regional peace, stability, and security through dialogue and constructive cooperation.

Through an open and inclusive approach to defense diplomacy, Indonesia encourages the strengthening of inter-state trust, the improvement of regional collaboration, and the creation of a strategic environment conducive to progress and mutual prosperity.

Vietnamese President To Lam, who was the keynote speaker on the first day of the forum, May 29, 2026, highlighted the importance of joint efforts to maintain regional stability by emphasizing ASEAN's central role.

"Our region must not become a battleground for great powers that undermine the order we have built together for decades," he said in front of delegates. He called on every country to prioritize dialogue rather than confrontation.

Maritime security issues dominated the discussions over the three days. Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Richard Marles, highlighted the threat to underwater infrastructure and freedom of navigation.

He emphasized that obedience to international law, especially UNCLOS, is the absolute foundation for countries, big and small, to live side by side peacefully.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth gave his views on the global security architecture. He urged partners and allies, especially from Europe, to strengthen defense independence.

"American leadership remains steadfast, but the burden of defense must be borne more fairly by each of our partners for better collective resilience," he said.

Tensions in the Middle East are also a serious concern for the delegates in attendance. Representatives from Qatar stressed that the current regional crisis should not be allowed to spread and burden international shipping lanes.

"Disruption to global waterways is a threat to the entire world economy; we need collective cooperation to ensure trade flows remain open," the envoy said.

On the other hand, the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Kao Kim Hourn, highlighted the bilateral relations between the US and China as a determinant of regional stability. He emphasized that although competition between the two giant powers is inevitable, both parties must manage the tension with full responsibility.

"The world awaits the certainty that competition will not end in a devastating open conflict," he added.

Towards the end of the series of events, the consensus that emerged from various delegations was the need for a rules-based international order. Leaders agreed that any unilateral action that harms the sovereignty of other countries will only worsen the global crisis, which is also currently influenced by technological and economic dynamics.

On the other hand, the absence of Chinese high-ranking defense officials in this year's dialogue was quite unfortunate by many delegates. Even so, participants agreed that the door of communication must remain wide open. Beijing's absence did not deter other countries from continuing to promote military transparency and crisis management mechanisms through this multilateral forum.

The Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 closed with great hope that all the points of view that have been presented can be translated into concrete actions. Leaders left Singapore with one strong message: in a divided world, only through dialogue and respect for international law, can long-term stability be maintained.