The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA Japan) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), in cooperation with the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC), jointly launched in Singapore the inaugural Capacity Building Executive Programme on combating piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia.
The Capacity Building Executive Programme, targeted at senior-level personnel with 10 to 15 years of experience and above in maritime enforcement, will see ReCAAP Contracting Parties from ASEAN (Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam), together with representatives from Indonesia and Malaysia as dialogue partners, participate in a 10-day training held both in Singapore and Japan from 27 September – 6 October.
Designed to build capacity, enhance information sharing and strengthen cooperation among the ASEAN enforcement authorities, the Capacity Building Executive Programme will cover key topics such as:
- Trends and Developments in Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia
- Best Practices of Information Sharing
- Best Practices in the Law Enforcement and Prosecution against Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships
- International Laws and Regulations related to Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships
- Emerging Maritime Threats such as Cybersecurity, Maritime Terrorism, etc
Sharing their knowledge with the participants are experts from MPA Singapore, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, Singapore Shipping Association, Philippines Coast Guard, Philippines Navy, Gadjah Mada University of Indonesia, MOFA Japan, Ministry of Defense Japan, Japan Coast Guard, Australian Maritime Border Command, USCoast Guard, ReCAAP ISC, and more.
To enrich learning, field visits to key maritime facilities such as MPA’s Port Operations Control Centre, Singapore Police Coast Guard’s Brani Base, Japan Coast Guard facilities and Japan Coast Guard Academy will be organised.
“The Programme aims for enhancing maritime law enforcement capabilities of ASEAN countries in the area of counter-piracy efforts and we believe it is a very timely initiative considering the fact that increasing transnational criminal activities including abduction in the Sulu-Celebes Sea pose a threat to the ASEAN, which was founded 50 years ago,” said Ambassador Toshiro Iijima, Deputy Assistant Minister, Foreign Policy Bureau, MOFA Japan and Japanese Governor to the ReCAAP ISC Governing Council.
