The President said that in matters of national security and international engagement, the country's sovereignty, independence, and the welfare of the people must be placed foremost. Beyond conventional military threats, climate change, cyberattacks, terrorism, artificial intelligence, and disinformation are new challenges of the current time. Due to Bangladesh's strategic position in the Bay of Bengal and the wider Indo-Pacific region, he emphasized farsighted leadership and a strong institutional framework to address these challenges.

At the beginning of his speech, the President paid deep respect to the martyrs of the Great Liberation War of 1971, martyr President Ziaur Rahman, and those who sacrificed their lives in the democratic movement over the past 17 years, including the 2024 mass uprising. Commandant of the National Defence College Lieutenant General Md. Faizur Rahman delivered the welcome address at the event. It may be noted that a total of 103 military and civilian officers, including 31 from 17 friendly countries, are participating in this year's National Defence Course.