Last Monday, June 6, a luncheon was held with the “Asia-Pacific Perspectives on Implementing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement: Insights on the Bilateral Security Dialogue” Forum Speakers: Ernest Bower (Stratbase ADRi Trustee and Senior Adviser and Chair for Southeast Asia Studies at CSIS), Gregory Poling (Director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative and a fellow with the Chair for Southeast Asia Studies at CSIS), Prof. Katsuyuki Yakushiji of the Toyo University, Ms. Lisa Sharland (Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute), Dr. Renato de Castro (convener of the National Security and East Asian Affairs Program of the ADRi), members of the Diplomatic Corps and members of the Philippine Trade Foundation.

Special guests were incoming Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Jun Yasay and incoming Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.