During the 15th Anniversary virtual symposium of ReCAAP, its member countries reaffirmed their commitment to combat piracy and sea robberies in Asia.
To remind, back on September 4, 2006, the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) came into force, while 14 Asian countries have become the Contracting Parties of ReCAAP by the end of 2006.
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Under the Agreement, ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) was established in Singapore on November 29, 2006.
In light of the above, ReCAAP Contracting Parties and ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) organised on 18th March 2021, the 15th Anniversary Symposium with the theme of “Enhancing Regional Cooperation: 15 years and beyond,” on virtual platform.
The 15th anniversary offers the ReCAAP Contracting Parties and the ISC an opportunity to reflect on the journey we have collectively taken, reconfirm the commitment to our shared mission, and look ahead at the future of ReCAAP to remain relevant amid changing external environment.
…as Masafumi Kuroki, Executive Director of ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre, noted.
The symposium was organised to mark 15 years of regional cooperation against piracy and sea robbery in Asia (programme in Annex).
For the record, the event 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.
In addition, Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization, stated:
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.
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.
…as Mr Kuroki, Executive Director of ReCAAP ISC, concluded.
