The 2023 HLD was held in October 2023, bringing together over 30 senior Australian leaders from Government, Defence, Business, and Academia.
Held over three days, the theme for the 2023 HLD was “Securing a safe and prosperous Indo-Pacific: The Imperative Global Partnership”. Discussions focussed on AUKUS, the Quad, the Pacific Islands, and the threats to stability in the region.
The HLD allowed for key challenges being faced by Australia and the US in the Indo-Pacific region to be addressed, including regional instability, managing relationships with China, promoting economic growth, and addressing environmental concerns.
Over 30 senior Australian leaders from government, defence, business, and academia took part in the program, taking steps to ensure a safe and open Indo-Pacific region.
The 2023 Honolulu Leadership Dialogue was co-chaired by AALD co-founder Julie Singer Scanlan AO and General the Hon Sir Peter Cosgrove AK CVO MC.
As part of the program, HLD delegates took part in a wreath laying ceremony at Punchbowl cemetery, before a reception where they were welcomed by Sir Peter Cosgrove and Julie Singer Scanlan AO, before hearing remarks from the US Indo-Pacific Command, Lieutenant General Stephen Sklenka and The Hon Pat Conroy MP.
HLD Delegates travelled to the Marine Core Base Hawaii for a series of briefings regarding the role of the US Marine Core in the Pacific, a US Marines Intelligence briefing and regional overview, and an exploration of responses to maritime threats and risks being faced by Pacific Island countries.
The HLD delegates experienced an unprecedented engagement with US Marines stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, they saw first-hand how the Marines contribute to regional security and disaster relief, and how MCBH serves as a strategic location for the US Marines to conduct amphibious and joint training exercises–some of which are with the US Marines in Darwin–enhancing their ability to respond to challenges in the Pacific.
The following day included visits to Pearl Harbor, and the USS Arizona Memorial, before further plenary sessions at the INDOPACOM headquarters. Here, HLD delegates spoke with the US Indo-Pacific Command Commander, Admiral John Aquilino, and explored the value of multilateral partnerships and interoperability in defence and technology, and about emerging security challenges in space.
