ReCAAP Contracting Parties and ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) organised today a 15th Anniversary Symposium with the theme of “Enhancing Regional Cooperation: 15 years and beyond,” on virtual platform.
The symposium was organised to mark 15 years of regional cooperation against piracy and sea robbery in Asia (programme in Annex). The symposium was joined by 20 ReCAAP Member Countries, the shipping industry, the diplomatic community as well as academia and research institutes.
In his Welcome Address, Singapore Minister for Transport, His Excellency Mr. Ong Ye Kung emphasised the need for the global community to exercise collective responsibility to protect global commons like the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and recognised the ReCAAP ISC as a vital part of the regional anti-piracy architecture for international cooperation against a transboundary problem.
Mr. Ong added, “Singapore is honoured to have played an active part in the ISC’s development over the years and will continue to work with the Contracting Parties of ReCAAP in giving the centre our strongest support.”
His Excellency Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization, stated in his Keynote Address (video), “I would like to encourage ReCAAP to strengthen your efforts in capacity building to help promote and share your experience and achievements with other regions. I am certain that your successful experience can help parties in other regions to further enhance their capacity of an effective information sharing mechanism.”
The representatives of ReCAAP Member Countries (Japan and India), and a shipping association (Federation of ASEAN Shipowners Association) made presentations on their perspectives, affirming their commitment to enhancing maritime safety in Asia.
Other highlights of the symposium included a presentation on “15 Years’ Analysis of Piracy and Sea Robbery Incidents in Asia” by Mr. Masafumi Kuroki, Executive Director of ReCAAP ISC, as well as a panel discussion on “The Future of ReCAAP” moderated by Professor Max Mejia of World Maritime University and participated by representatives from ReCAAP Member Countries (Norway and Singapore), a shipping association (INTERTANKO) and a research institute (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Japan), as panellists.
“The 15th Anniversary Symposium has provided the ReCAAP Contracting Parties and the ISC with a good opportunity to reflect on the journey we have taken collectively, reconfirm the commitment to our shared mission, and deliberate on the way to pursue the mission of ReCAAP in the future amid changing environments. The commitment and support by all the ReCAAP Member Countries, partners and stakeholders will spur the ISC to further strengthen its work to enhance the maritime safety in Asia.” said Mr Kuroki, Executive Director of ReCAAP ISC.
