HALIFAX - Political and military leaders are gathering in Halifax today for the start of an international foreign affairs and defence conference.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan will open the annual three-day forum that bills itself as a gathering of democratic leaders committed to global security and prosperity.

Tim Kaine, the Democratic contender for U.S. vice-president, is scheduled to attend along with other high-profile political and military leaders including U.K. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, U.S. Deputy Defence Secretary Robert Work and France's defence minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Fallon will speak about Britain's place in the world after Brexit, and Le Drian will speak about combating terror.

More than 300 delegates from 60 countries are expected to attend, with participants including policy-makers, security analysts, diplomats, business leaders and journalists.

Aside from Kaine, other U.S. politicians expected to head to Halifax include Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.