Two young officers from HMAS Perth represented Australia at the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Future Leaders Program in Subic Bay, Philippines.
While the senior military leaders from participating nations exchanged views, the next generation of leaders came together nearby for discussions focused on cooperation and mutual understanding.
The Future Leader's Program explored shared maritime security challenges that emerging leaders may face during their careers.
Sub-Lieutenant Jacinta Saynor, an assistant maritime logistics officer, and Sub-Lieutenant Joshua Breeden, an officer of the watch, represented Perth at the forum.
"It was a huge honour to attend the conference and represent not only our shipmates, but the Royal Australian Navy as a whole," Sub-Lieutenant Breeden said.
"After weeks of patrols in the South China Sea during this deployment, the topics we covered at the forum, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), couldn't have been more relevant to the maritime environment in which we are operating."
Sub-Lieutenant Saynor said the forum was a rewarding experience and an opportunity to meet and exchange perspectives with participants from ASEAN and its dialogue partners.
"If the leaders in that room are the people I'm going to be seeing across the various fleets in my career, I have no doubt in our ability to work together," she said.
"The program broadened my understanding of maritime security and environmental protection."
After the forum, the two officers shared their experiences and insights with their shipmates on board Perth.
ADMM-Plus activities culminated with participating navies conducting a cooperative maritime activity off the coast of the Philippines.
