#HDF25

About

Building on our inaugural conference on “Operationalizing Integration in the Indo-Pacific” that took place in Honolulu on January 16-17, 2024, the Pacific Forum proudly presents the Honolulu Defense Forum (HDF): 2025. Designed as an annual event in Honolulu, this effort is run in partnership with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), and industry to create a regular forum for U.S. and allied representatives across defense industry, critical & emerging technologies, and economic security sectors, along with our closest regional allies and like-minded partners.

Themes

Operationalizing Urgency: What are the immediate actions and critical fixes needed to enhance readiness and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific?

Building and Sustaining Integrated Defense Capabilities: What is required to operationalize sustainment networks in the Indo-Pacific for deterrence and military operations and how do we leverage industry expertise and collaboration with allies to enhance logistical support and ensure strategic posturing?

Harnessing Critical Technologies at Scale: What critical technologies do we need to prioritize in high-intensity scenarios and how do we quickly integrate enabling technologies across defense systems and applications to advance information sharing and operations?

Driving Innovation and Competitiveness in Security Initiatives: What does optimal collaboration among industry, venture capital, and government look like to innovate and invest in security initiatives that address evolving threats and emerging opportunities in the region?

Building a Robust Industrial Base: What collaborative approaches will further enhance cooperation in defense procurement, industrial capacity, and supply chain resilience as well as bring opportunities for co-development, co-production, and co-sustainment with allies and partners?

Promoting Regional Security: Do our policies, resources, and operational planning align effectively to promote our regional security interests in the Indo-Pacific region? What more can the U.S. and its allies and partners do to reinforce security, promote a rules based international order, deter conflict and support each other against regional threats? How do we bring attention to, and combat, malign behavior and influence in the Indo-Pacific region?

Speakers and Distinguished Guests

Subject to Change (as of 12/09/2024)

Opening Welcome Dinner

General Joseph Dunford Jr.
USMC (Ret.)

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Honorable Mac Thornberry

Former U.S. Representative for Texas & Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee

Keynote Address

Admiral Samuel Paparo

Commander
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

Featured Guests 

United States and Allies & Partners 

Doug Beck

Director Defense Innovation Unit and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense

Admiral Phil Davidson, USN (Ret.)

Former 25th Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

Admiral Harry Harris, USN (Ret.)

Former 24th Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea

The Hon. Irineo Espino

Senior Undersecretary Philippine Department of National Defense

Major General Gavin J. Gardner, USA
Commanding General
8th Theater Sustainment Command

Major General Steve Hunter OMM, MSC, MSM, CD
Commander
Canadian Special Operations Forces Command 

Brigadier General Martine S. Kidd, USA
Director for Logistics & Engineering (J4)
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

Admiral Stephen T. "Web" Koehler, USN
Commander
U.S. Pacific Fleet

Gabsu Lee
Director of General Logistics Management Bureau
Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Lt Gen Sir Robert Magowan KCB, CBE

Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Capability) United Kingdom Ministry of Defence

 

Mark Newton
Defence Minister
Embassy of the United Kingdom

David Nockels

 First Assistant Secretary for Defence Trade, Regulation and Industrial Collaboration
Australia Department of Defence

Major General Neil R. Richardson, USAF
Deputy Director of Operations (J30)

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

Jedidiah P. Royal

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs
U.S. Department of Defense

Randall G. Schriver
Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, Department of Defense

Colonel Jason Schramm 
Deputy Commander
US Space Force - Indo-Pacific

Major General Stefan Schulz 
Deputy Head of The Political Department in the Ministry of Defense in Germany

Brigadier General Michael L. Smith, USA
Director for Command, Control, Communications and Cyber (J6)
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

Matthew D. Steinhelfer
AUKUS Senior Advisor
U.S. Department of State

Robert Stephenson 
Director (J8)
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

Dr. Vaidotas Urbelis 

Defence Policy Director of the Ministry of National Defence Lithuania 

Dr. Huntley Wright

 Assistant Secretary for Capability Delivery New Zealand Ministry of Defence

 

more to come...

Sponsorship Available!

More information on sponsor ship can be found here: Sponsorships 

For questions regarding potential sponsorship, please contact 

Kimberly Lehn

Senior Director, Honolulu Defense Forum

kim@pacforum.org

Information

Dates

February 12-14, 2025

Information

Ms Kimberly Lehn

Senior Director, Honolulu Defense Forum

kim@pacforum.org

Ms Shanna Khayat

Communications & Outreach Manager

Shanna@pacforum.org

Location

Waikiki, Hawai'i