The International Seapower Symposium (ISS) is a biennial meeting of the world's chiefs of navy that has met at the United States Naval War College since 1969. The proceedings of these symposia have been published on the Internet since ISS XVI in 2003.

History With the objective of promoting mutual understanding among the several leaders of the world's maritime nations, the First International Seapower Symposium (ISS I) was convened at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island on 17–20 November 1969. This four-day symposium was conceived by the President of the Naval War College, Vice Admiral Richard G. Colbert, U.S. Navy, who served as host for the ISS I. The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Thomas H. Moorer addressed the meeting.First Seapower Symposium, 17–20 November 1969 (Newport: Naval War College, 1969). As a result of the success of this symposium, plans were made to continue these discussions as a biennial event. All International Seapower Symposia, since, have been conducted at the Naval War College, and hosted by the incumbent Chief of Naval Operations with only two exceptions. Early fall dates have been selected to take advantage of both the normally good weather and also the relaxed atmosphere in Newport. +No.AbbreviationDateTitleHostTopicsAttendanceReferences1ISS I17–20 November 1969First Seapower SymposiumVice Admiral Richard G. Colbert2ISS II1–5 November 1971Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr.To further "... a sense of unity through the sharing of common problems."67 delegates representing 41 nationsSecond International Seapower Symposium, 1–5 November 1971. (Newport: U.S. Naval War College, 1971).3ISS III15–19 October 1973Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr.In a departure from the traditional discussion of strategy and military force, the Symposium examined, in some depth, the non-military uses of naval forces in the maritime world.Fifty-four delegates represented thirty-eight nationsThird International Seapower Symposium, 15–19 October 1973. (Newport: U.S. Naval War College, 1973)4ISS IV6–9 July 1976The role of Navies in the 1980sAdmiral James L. Holloway, IIIDelegations represented Forty-eight nations5ISS V2–5 October 1979The Role of Navies in a World of PeaceAdmiral Thomas B. HaywardDelegations representing Forty-nine nations attendedFifth International Seapower Symposium, 2–5 October 1979. (Newport: U.S. Naval War College, 1979).6ISS VI28 June through 1 July 1981World Navies in the 1980sForty-eight nations took part7ISS VII7–10 November 1983Emerging Naval Roles to the Year 2000Admiral James D. Watkins"Seventh International Seapower Symposium, 7–10 November 1983", Naval War College Review. Special Edition. (1983).8ISS VIII20–23 October 1985Maritime Security Planning – Traditional vs. Non-Traditional ViewsAdmiral James D. WatkinsForty-six nations attended.Eighth International Seapower Symposium: Report of the Proceedings, 20–23 October 1985. (Newport: U.S. Naval War College, 1985).9ISS IX25–28 October 1987Maritime Power in an Era of Low Intensity ConflictAdmiral Carlisle A.H. TrostAgreement was reached to establish the Western Pacific Naval Symposium.Fifty-four nations attendedNinth International Seapower Symposium: Report of the Proceedings, 26–28 October 1987. (Newport: U.S. Naval War College, 1985).10ISS X22–25 October 1989Meeting Commitments in an Era of Fiscal ConstraintAdmiral Carlisle A.H. Trostforty-one nations in attendance[Tenth] International Seapower Symposium: report of proceedings of the conference, 22–25 October 1989. (Newport, R.I.: Naval War College Press, 1989.11ISS XI6–9 October 1991Emerging Cooperative Maritime Roles in a Changing World EnvironmentAdmiral Frank B. Kelso IIFifty-seven nations were represented.Eleventh International Seapower Symposium: Report of the Proceedings of the Conference: 6–9 October 1991. Edited by John B. Hattendorf. (Newport: Naval War College Press, 1992).12ISS XII7–10 November 1993Maritime Coalitions and International SecurityAdmiral Frank B. Kelso IIOne hundred-thirty delegates representing seventy-one nations were in attendance.Twelfth International Seapower Symposium: Report of the Proceedings of the Conference: November 1993. Edited by John B. Hattendorf. (Newport: Naval War College Press, 1994).13ISS XIII5–8 November 1995Partnership ... From the SeaAdmiral Jeremy BoordaThere were one hundred thirty-two delegates from sixty-seven nations taking part in this 4-day event.Thirteenth International Seapower Symposium: Report of the Proceedings of the Conference: 5–8 November 1995. Edited by John B. Hattendorf. (Newport: Naval War College Press 1996).14ISS XIV2–5 November 1997Seapower and Common security in the 21st CenturyAdmiral Jay L. JohnsonSeventy-three nations were in attendanceFourteenth International Seapower Symposium: Report of the Proceedings of the Conference: report of proceedings, 2–5 November 1997. Edited by John B. Hattendorf. (Newport: Naval War College Press, 1998).15ISS XV7–10 November 1999Maritime Strategies for a Naval CenturyAdmiral Jay L. JohnsonOne hundred fifty-two delegates representing seventy nations were in attendance.Fifteenth International Seapower Symposium: Report of the proceedings 7–10 November 1999. Edited by Aubrey Bogle and Brian O'Donnell. (Newport: Naval War College, 1999).16ISS XVI26–29 October 2003Seapower for Peace, Prosperity and Security56 CNO counterparts attended the Symposium with an overall number of 203 delegates representing 69 nations in attendance.Sixteenth International Seapower Symposium: Report of the Proceedings, 26–29 October 2003. Edited By John B. Hattendorf. (Newport: Naval War College Press, 2004).17ISS XVII20–23 September 2005A Global Network of Nations for a Free and Secure Maritime CommonsAdmiral Michael MullenAttendees included 55 CNO counterparts, with the overall number of 137 delegates from 70 nations, and 43 Naval Attachés.Seventeenth International Seapower Symposium: Report of the Proceedings 20–23 September 2005. Edited by John B. Hattendorf. (Newport, Rhode Island: U.S. Naval War College, 2006).18ISS XVIII16–19 October 2007Forging Cooperative Solutions for International Maritime SecurityAdmiral Gary RougheadIt was here that the US Navy announced their new maritime strategy, moving the focus from sea combat to a broader base that incorporated the prevention of combat.Attendees included 69 CNO counterparts, 21 Commandants of Coast Guards and 16 War College Presidents. Over 100 nations were represented.19ISS XIX7–9 October 2009Connecting Navies, Building PartnershipAdmiral Gary RougheadSecretary of the Navy Ray Mabus opened the symposiumnavy.mil Leadership Kicks Off International Seapower Symposium20ISS XX18–21 October 2011Security and Prosperity through Maritime PartnershipsAdmiral Jonathan Greenert20th International Seapower Symposium21ISS XXI16–19 September 2014Global Solutions to Common Maritime ChallengesAdmiral Jonathan GreenertOpened by the Secretary of the Navy, Ray MabusNaval War College website announcement22ISS XXII20–23 September 2016Stronger Maritime PartnersAdmiral John M. Richardson23ISS XXIII18–21 September 2018Security, Order, ProsperityAdmiral John M. Richardson24ISS XXIV14–17 September 2021Strength in UnityAdmiral Michael M. Gilday

References

External links International Seapower Symposium at the United States Naval War College