The U.S. Navy has canceled the 2025 International Seapower Symposium, a decades-old global maritime leadership conference, citing a lack of funding.
The biennial event, originally scheduled for October at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., was called off due to an unavailable $1.8 million budget, Navy spokesperson Cmdr. Tim Hawkins confirmed to USNI News on Thursday.
Held since 1969, the symposium traditionally brings together leaders from more than 100 navies to discuss global maritime security, strengthen alliances, and share strategic insights. The event is considered one of the Navy’s most important diplomatic gatherings.
“The Navy is canceling the 26th International Seapower Symposium… due to unavailable funding,” Hawkins said. “We remain fully committed to strengthening maritime alliances and partnerships in defending freedom, preserving economic prosperity and keeping the seas free and open.”
The cancellation follows broader Department of Defense guidance aimed at curbing non-essential travel and events amid tightening budgets. The last symposium, held in 2023, cost approximately $1.5 million and featured key discussions on global maritime norms, including Russian and Chinese actions in violation of the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention.
This isn’t the first disruption to the event. The 2020 edition was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and held in 2021 instead.
Despite the cancellation, Navy officials say they’ll continue to engage with international partners through other forums and bilateral efforts.
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