The sixth annual Halifax International Security Forum is being held in the Nova Scotia capital from November 21 to 23, 2014.

The largest event of its kind in North America, the Forum enables frank and informal discussions among participants on key topics in international security. The event, which began in 2009, established itself as a premier gathering place to discuss global security issues.

This year’s topics include the security situation in Eastern and Central Europe, the ongoing instability in the Middle East, terrorism, and the security implications of energy and natural resource shortages, among many others.

The Forum brings together leading thinkers, policymakers, and practitioners from nations around the world to discuss ideas and share insights on important global security challenges. More than 300 participants are expected, including prominent domestic and international figures from government, military, academia, media, and the private sector.

Senior Canadian officials will be in attendance, including: the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls; the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable Peter MacKay; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable John Baird; the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Steven Blaney; as well as other senior Canadian officials.

Some of this year’s prominent international participants include: President of Estonia, Toomas-Hendrik Ilves; Minister of Defence Gerry Brownlee from New Zealand; Minister of Defense Milica Pejanovic-Djuris from Montenegro; Vidal Soberon Sanz, Secretary of the Navy for Mexico; U.S. Senators John McCain, John Barrasso, Tim Kaine, and Ted Cruz, as well as U.S. Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition Against ISIL, John Allen; UK Secretary of Defence Michael Fallon; and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Jean-Paul Paloméros.

This unique gathering brings the world to Halifax, and also contributes to advancing Canada’s international and defence diplomacy objectives, notably by allowing the Minister of National Defence, as well as other senior Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) officials to host bilateral meetings with key counterparts on the margins of the conference.

Moreover, it provides an opportunity for the DND/CAF to reaffirm Canada’s defence relationships and priorities such as the Canada First Defence Strategy, and showcase Canada’s military engagements and global leadership. On full display will be the CAF’s contribution to security and defence at home, in the Western Hemisphere and around the world.

src:news.gc.ca