ReCAAP ISC, the first regional government-to-government agreement to promote and enhance cooperation against piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia, held its first capacity building activity for 2018 with 19 senior officers from 17 countries arriving in Singapore to take stock of the current situation and discuss the roadmap ahead.
The participants comprised of the heads of the ReCAAP Focal Points—the designated maritime and/or government agency—from 17 countries.
These senior officers spent the first day attending the 9th Nautical Forum—one of ReCAAP ISC’s annual events to dialogue with and engage the shipping community—and visiting the MPA Singapore’s Port Operations Control Centre.
They second day will be dedicated to discussions on the current situation of piracy and sea robbery in Asia and on collective efforts to respond to the evolving threats and emerging challenges in the landscape.
At the two-day meeting, Dr. Sam Bateman, Advisor, Maritime Security Program at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) and Ms. Kaitlin Meredith, Programme Coordinator at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also respectively addressed the topics of maritime safety in Asia and the role of ReCAAP ISC as well as the capacity building of maritime law enforcement agencies.
The countries represented at the ReCAAP Focal Point Senior Officers’ Meeting are Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam.
“Effective response to the dynamic nature of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia requires a framework based on a common goal and shared responsibilities. The ReCAAP Focal Point Senior Officers’ Meeting is an essential and strategic platform for the heads of the respective government agencies and enforcement bodies from Asia to come together, deepen rapport, and progress towards the common goal of safer and more secure seas for all,” said Masafumi Kuroki, Executive Director of ReCAAP ISC.
