KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- General Vincent K. Brooks, U.S. Army Pacific Commanding General joined Pacific leaders at the second annual 2014 Defense Services Asia Exhibition and Conference, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia April 14 through 17.
The conference provided an opportunity for USARPAC to strengthen relationships with Pacific partners. The theme for the conference was "Strengthening security and regional stability."
Brooks was a keynote speaker and panelist at the Chief of Army Roundtable Talks. During his speech, he addressed the impact of land forces within the security environment.
"Security remains the enabling companion for prosperity," he said. "The nation's security forces are the companion of a nation's economy. Economies effect people where they live, therefore, securing the world's largest populations from external to internal threats -- man-made and natural hazards. This calls for increasingly professional land forces."
Brooks stated as more countries align in the Pacific, security becomes a multilateral engagement for partnering government agencies and land forces by working through whole-of-government approach.
The Malaysian Minister of Defense, Dato Seri Hishammuddin Bin Hussein, opened the conference by pressing a ceremonial launch button. After the ceremonial launch, traditional Malaysian dancers and singers took to the stage.
According to Hussein, the DSA is the fifth largest security in the world. More than 50 countries and over 1,000 corporate industries attended the conference -- more than double the number from last year.
The DSA Exhibition and Conference provided opportunities to discuss common issues in the Pacific face-to-face, strategic gains, as well as unique capabilities that each land force adds in support of the Pacific region carrying on a long and proud heritage, said Brooks.
"It's an honor to represent U.S. service members, civilians, and family members that comprise USARPAC," said Brooks. "Having all these nations under one roof gives us an opportunity to discuss common issues using a holistic approach."
Multilateral talks continued throughout the conference enhancing relationships in the Pacific.
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