Shangri-La Dialogue cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns

The cancellation of the defence forum followed the suspension of the World Economic Forum annual meeting.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) has cancelled the Shangri-La Dialogue scheduled to be held in Singapore next month.

This followed the earlier cancellation of the World Economic Forum’s Special Annual Meeting, scheduled for August this year.

“Unfortunately the global COVID-19 situation has recently deteriorated, in part because of the rise of infectious new COVID variants. In Singapore there has been a rise in local cases, recently introduced new restrictions, and the prospect of further tightening cannot be ruled out – all of which creates uncertainty. Taken together these various factors mean that holding an in-person Shangri-La Dialogue this year has become unviable,” the IISS said in a statement.

In a separate statement, the Ministry of Defence said it supports IISS’ decision and that it will find alternative and safer avenues for dialogues on peace and stability in Asia.