Ahead of 2022 Halifax International Security Forum, Shaheen & Risch Announce Additional Participants and Plenaries

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, and U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced additional members of the bipartisan congressional delegation that they will lead to the Halifax International Security Forum this weekend, as well as details surrounding panels and plenaries that will address the most pressing issues facing U.S. national security today.

Shaheen and Risch will be joined by U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV). Shaheen will lead the first plenary to open the forum – And So, Where is the Security? – which will focus on the U.S. and global community’s ongoing mission to provide security assistance to Ukraine and address the state of today’s world order. Senator Risch will lead a Halifax Chat with Representative Mike McCaul (R-TX). Other plenaries will include:

• Senator Gillibrand will lead Cold Weather, High Prices, Long War: Finding Our Winter Resilience
• Senator Kaine will lead Tomorrow’s Energy Needed Now
• Senator Coons will lead The Disinformation Nations: Kidnapping Our Citizens, Corrupting Our Officials, Stealing Our Stuff
• Senators Rosen and Rounds will lead Mind the Gap: Keeping our Tech Superiority

More information on the 2022 Halifax International Security Forum can be found here.

“From Ukraine’s heroic defense of its people and land as a result of Russia’s unprovoked invasion, to China’s increasing aggression against democratic values and the plight of women and girls under oppressive regimes in Afghanistan and Iran, the national security challenges facing our world are great. Looking ahead to the Halifax International Security Forum this weekend, I’m honored to lead this dedicated group of lawmakers with Senator Risch to send a resounding message of U.S. support to confront these challenges together with our partners and allies,” said Senator Shaheen, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and Co-Chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group.

“I am excited to once again lead a bipartisan delegation with Senator Shaheen to Halifax for the 2022 International Security Forum,” said Senator Risch, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “As Russia’s war against Ukraine enters its 10th month and China escalates its aggression against Taiwan, there is no shortage of issues on which we must work with our transatlantic partners. I look forward to productive and collaborative discussions in the coming days.”

“As the United States and our allies confront national security threats from Russian aggression and the rising influence of China, it is critical that we strengthen bonds with global partners who share our values,” said Senator Gillibrand, member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees. “I am proud to be part of the bipartisan Senate delegation at the Halifax International Security Forum, which brings together experts, diplomats and public officials to discuss the most urgent national security issues facing the United States, Canada and the global community. I look forward to bringing the lessons learned in Halifax to my position on the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, where I’m working on confronting cyber and biological threats, growing our cyber workforce and protecting our critical infrastructure.”

“The United States and our partners and allies are facing a range of unprecedented global challenges, from combating global food insecurity and fighting disinformation to helping the Ukrainian people push back on Russia’s illegal invasion,” said Senator Coons, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs. “The annual Halifax International Security Forum could not come at a better time to discuss these pressing issues. I am proud to be part of the bipartisan Senate delegation to this year’s forum, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as well as other global leaders to protect our national security interests and advance our common goals.”

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has underscored the threats posed to democracy by authoritarians around the world and the need for democracies to stand together,” said Senator Kaine. “The Halifax International Security Forum provides us with an important opportunity to meet with our allies to discuss how we can tackle global security challenges. I look forward to having productive conversations with our partners.”

“As the United States faces ongoing threats from our near-peer competitors, China and Russia, the annual Halifax International Security Forum continues to be a critical assembly of our global partners,” said Senator Rounds. “Through discussion with nations that share our values, this forum addresses the most pressing national security challenges facing our country and provides the opportunity to examine how we may collaborate to deter foreign adversaries. I look forward to attending this forum with my bipartisan colleagues as we engage with our allies and partners from all over the world.”

“At a time of increased efforts by our adversaries to undermine international peace and security, I’m glad to be a part of the important discussions at this year's Halifax International Security Forum,” said Senator Rosen. “From Russia’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, to our strategic competition with China, this annual conference provides an opportunity to deepen our collaboration with our democratic partners to take on pressing global challenges. I look forward to joining my Senate colleagues and our allies in this forum.”

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