National Security Minister meets with US Defence Officials in Washington D.C.

Caption: Minister of National Security, Major General (Ret’d) the Honourable Edmund Dillon (left) presents a token to Chairman of the Council of Delegates, IADB, Vice-Admiral Gonzalo Nicolas Rios Polastri. (Photo courtesy the Ministry of National Security)

April 7, 2016: Major General (Ret’d) the Honourable Edmund Dillon, Minister of National Security, is currently on an official visit to Washington D.C. for the period 05 - 07 April, 2016 on invitation from the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB).

Minister Dillon attended a series of meetings in commemoration of the 74^th Anniversary of the IADB as follows:

Hemispheric Situation Conference of the Inter-American Defense College on April 05, 2016.
74^th Anniversary Ceremony of the Inter-American Defense Board on April 06, 2016.
Special Meeting of the Committee on Hemispheric Security on April 07, 2016.

At the IADB Anniversary Ceremony, Minister Dillon delivered the feature address and congratulated the IADB on its outstanding achievements and track record of delivery over the last seventy-four (74) years in promoting security and democracy within the hemisphere.

He also noted that with the IADB being the oldest International Aggregation of Armed Forces in the world which was created in the aftermath of World War II, it was his hope that the body will continue its role in the provision of leadership, education and professional development for military personnel as well as civilians in the security sector in the hemisphere, administered through the Inter-American Defense College.

Following his address, Minister Dillon was presented with an IADB Medal in recognition of his provision of yeoman service and dedication throughout his military career and beyond.

During his visit to Washington D.C., Minister Dillon also took the opportunity to meet with other key U.S. Defense officials to continue dialogue and collaborative efforts in preparation for the hosting of the Twelfth (XII) Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas (CDMA) taking place in Trinidad and Tobago in October 2016.