Adm. Scott Swift, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, spoke to more than 100 participants at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) in Waikiki, Hawaii, during an advanced security cooperation course April 24.

The course involves representatives more than 25 nations with a focus on building relationships among mid-career leaders and decision makers within the region. According to APCSS the course emphasizes the non-warfighting aspects of security and international relations, and challenges participants to develop regional and transnational perspectives.

As the courses keynote speaker, Swift shared his thoughts on security cooperation and how important collaboration is in maintaining security within the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

"I ask you all to use the time you have here to build trust with each other and explore the possibilities of cooperation. When we increase our capacity and capability together, we reinforce the international system we all depend on and we become partners in increasing security and stability," said Swift.

"This was Admiral Swift's third appearance as a military keynote speaker in an APCSS course since October 2015," said Lt. Cmdr. Sean Washington, the APCSS advanced security cooperation course coordinator. "His presentation on norms, standards, rules and laws facilitates a clearer understanding of not only what they are but also how adherence to them on a multilateral and international level can foster mutual trust between countries and promote regional stability and prosperity."

More than 100 government employees are taking part in the 5-week course, which includes plenary lectures, group interaction seminars and assessment exercises designed to enable attendees to comprehend the Asia-Pacific Region's security problems and empower them to address issues when supporting advanced security cooperation.

For more news from U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.navy.mil.