The two-day conference under the theme "Synergizing for Collaborative Maritime Management" will bring together local and foreign scholars and experts in maritime and naval affairs representing over 35 countries to share their views. The annual conference is held to provide a common platform for national and international stakeholders to discuss and deliberate maritime related issues and aims at enhancing the cooperation of maritime security and sharing of knowledge and information among them.

With renewed focus on Indian Ocean affairs, the Galle Dialogue 2018 is looking at offering a forum for regional and extra-regional players to express their maritime vision and management, discuss the concerns, and better understand each other.

The foreign participation in the conference from 2010 to 2017 has increased from 100 to nearly 200 participants including chiefs of navies, high level officials from foreign Navies/Coastguards, heads of international organizations, ambassadors and defense advisors.

So far 39 countries including international superpowers US, China, Britain, and India have confirmed participation in the 9th edition of the conference. In addition, a number of international organizations including ICRC, IOM, UNODC and several defense industries have confirmed participation.