Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro to address China's naval ambitions, security challenges, Feb. 21

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro will speak Tuesday, Feb. 21, at a National Press Club Headliners Luncheon.

Online sales are now closed for the in-person event, but you can purchase a ticket on site.

Del Toro, who presides over the Navy’s $210 billion budget, has said he wants to secure the training and equipment to ensure naval readiness and to address security challenges, including China’s naval ambitions, climate instability and COVID-19’s ongoing impact.

Lunch in the Club ballroom begins at 12:30 p.m. Remarks begin at 1 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session ending at 2 p.m. Club members may purchase tickets for $25. Non-member tickets cost $45. For all ticketing-related questions, please email [email protected]. Tickets must be paid for at time of reservation.

Del Toro, whose family fled Cuba in 1962, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned as a surface warfare officer in 1983. He served 22 years in the Navy. He retired at the rank of commander. He has served as Secretary of the Navy since Aug. 9, 2021.

To submit a question in advance, put NAVY in the subject line and email to [email protected]. The deadline for submitting questions in advance is 10 a.m. on the day of the luncheon.