Here’s an excerpt of the conversation:
Olivia Siong:
Actually one of the interesting things that happened as well was I had the opportunity to speak with the IISS executive chairman, Sir John Chipman, who was instrumental in bringing the Ukrainian president to the Shangri-La Dialogue. I asked him, “Why and how did it happen?” He said the Ukrainian president himself wanted to be here in person, and he wanted to reach out to get support. For this upcoming peace conference that’s going to take place in Switzerland, I asked him, “Did it take convincing to get him here?” And he said no it didn’t. He wanted to be here even though what’s happening in Ukraine right now is difficult. So that was an interesting moment, I think.
Teresa Tang:
At the end of the day, do you think these types of dialogues get us anywhere? Is it just a bunch of officials in suits and uniforms talking? Or Wai Kit, do you think real progress will be made once they leave these hotel walls?
Leong Wai Kit:
I think what is real is the follow-up work. I think each delegation goes back with a renewed agenda to follow up on and they would, in fact, from the series of meetings they had, reach out to whomever they need to reach out to to get work done. So the follow-up is real. The progress – and I think in that sense – because there is will to continue the work and discussion and to do something on a different level, I think that is heartening.
Olivia Siong:
Well, I think sometimes at the end of the day, we are so focused on this particular event. It’s so intense for these few days and all the headlines that come out. But we also have to remember that this is just one event in the world of events that’s taking place. There’s so many talks that go on in diplomatic channels, back channels. And there’s a lot of talking. And I think one of the things that talking to delegates who have been present observers, what they do say is that it’s better to talk than not at all.
