CNO, NAVSOUTH Forge Stronger Alliances at Brazil’s Inter-American Naval Conference

RIO DE JANEIRO – Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello joined naval leaders from 18 countries for the 31st Inter-American Naval Conference (IANC) held September 23-25.

This year’s IANC, hosted by Brazil, centered on maritime security challenges and fostering hemispheric solidarity.

“This conference has been crucial to strengthening our bonds of friendship, collaboration, and partnership for more than half a century,” stated Franchetti. “We are all united by our shared values, geography, and the need for continued stability, security, and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere and worldwide.”

The conference’s theme was ‘Naval challenges and strategies to ensure operational readiness in the face of new technologies and expanding naval responsibilities: strategic planning, doctrine development, and professional training in the medium and long term.’

Franchetti stressed the necessity of a united approach to maritime security. She highlighted the role each Navy and Coast Guard plays in this ecosystem, as described in her recently released Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy.

“In this increasingly turbulent and unpredictable world, security through partnership is essential because no single nation can handle our maritime challenges alone,” Franchetti remarked. “It is critical that we, the global maritime community, work together to align our efforts in a way that benefits us all. And you will have no stronger partner than the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps team.”

As part of the event, Adm. Marcos Sampaio Olsen, Commander of the Brazilian Navy, hosted the delegates aboard the NDM Bahia (G40) for a celebratory dinner accompanied by a performance from the Brazilian Marine Corps Symphonic Band.

Franchetti conducted bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, and Colombia. She also engaged in discussions with leaders from Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Rear Adm. Sardiello participated in bilateral engagements with The Netherlands, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay, and held discussions with officials from the Dominican Republic and Paraguay.

During these engagements, Franchetti and Sardiello focused on USNAVSOUTH’s role in cooperative maritime security operations. Their discussions aimed at maintaining access, enhancing interoperability, and building enduring partnerships within the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

“This conference promotes a crucial permanent professional interaction among Heads of Navy so that we can find solutions to problems that no one nation can solve alone,” said Sardiello. “The security environment has changed since 1959, and we are very focused on today’s challenges to security and welfare in our region.”

Established in 1959, IANC aims to strengthen bonds of friendship, partnership, and collaboration among naval leaders in the Western Hemisphere through the exchange of ideas and knowledge.