By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria has joined over 100 nations in Beijing for the 12th edition of the prestigious Xiangshan Forum, with the Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, representing the country at the high-level gathering that opened today, Wednesday 17th September 2025.
In an official statement signed by Mati Ali, Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Defence Minister, it was disclosed that the forum has brought together defence and military leaders from across the globe, including representatives from Singapore, Russia, France, Vietnam, Brazil, and Nigeria, alongside delegates from leading international and regional organisations.
This year’s forum is convened under the theme “Upholding International Order and Promoting Peaceful Development,” reflecting the urgency of multilateral cooperation in addressing shared security challenges. The platform provides a rare opportunity for countries to deepen military diplomacy, exchange ideas on conflict prevention, and chart pathways for global stability in a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
The programme for the forum features four plenary sessions and eight simultaneous sessions, covering a wide range of critical issues in international security. Discussions will centre on global security governance, Asia-Pacific security cooperation, safeguarding international order, and strategies for building regional peace.
By Nigeria’s participation, the Defence Minister is expected to reinforce the country’s commitment to global peace initiatives, regional stability, and cooperative security arrangements. His presence underscores Abuja’s belief that military engagement must go hand in hand with dialogue, diplomacy, and partnerships that promote sustainable peace.
The Xiangshan Forum has over the years grown into one of the world’s foremost defence diplomacy platforms, bridging gaps between military establishments and fostering conversations that shape the international order. With Nigeria seated among global powers and regional leaders in Beijing, the country is once again positioning itself as an active voice in the quest for a safer, more secure, and more peaceful world.
