BANGKOK, Thailand – U.S. Ambassador Sean O’Neill delivered the opening remarks at the “Navigating 21st Century Threats” forum, which gathered 40 mid-career security and policy professionals from September 8-10 to address pressing challenges in economic statecraft and technology.

The three-day event was a partnership between the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, and the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies.

Ambassador O’Neill’s address kicked off the forum, welcoming a diverse group of diplomats, military officers, and civilian practitioners under 40. The forum was designed to equip these emerging leaders with the strategic foresight to handle a rapidly changing global landscape.

Over the three days, participants explored topics ranging from economic coercion and geoeconomic weaponization to cyber resilience and the security implications of artificial intelligence. The agenda combined expert-led presentations with interactive exercises, including a “Leading Under Pressure” simulation.

The forum’s primary goal was to provide attendees with actionable frameworks to analyze and counter threats from economic statecraft and emerging technologies. It also focused on building a strong peer network to foster enduring professional relationships and share best practices for navigating complex security challenges.