Singapore has reaffirmed the instrumental role ReCAAP has played in anti-piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia on the occasion of the ReCAAP 10th Governing Council meeting.
Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Singapore’s Governor to the ReCAAP Governing Council said:
“Over the last 10 years, ReCAAP has achieved significant progress as a regional centre for information sharing, and continues to play a critical role in promoting and enhancing regional cooperation in combating piracy and armed robbery against ships. Singapore will continue to invest in efforts to enhance the safety and security of waterways in the region. MPA will continue safety broadcasts to ships transiting the Singapore Strait, strengthen inter-agency coordination for timely response to incidents, and bolster cooperation with regional governments and the international maritime community.”
Over the last decade, ReCAAP’s membership has grown from 14 Contracting Parties in 2006 to 20 in 2016. This is testament to ReCAAP’s continued importance and relevance to regional anti-piracy efforts. Singapore will continue to work with ReCAAP and its partners to strengthen its position as a regional centre of excellence for information sharing and to augment its capabilities under its three pillars of information sharing, capacity building and co-operative arrangements.
Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, Singapore, will join High Level Representatives from Contracting Parties in deliberating and endorsing a Joint Statement at ReCAAP’s High Level Ministerial Meeting to be held on 18 March.
The Joint Statement sets out ReCAAP ISC’s aspirations for the next decade and underscores the continued commitment by the Contracting Parties to contribute to safe and secure waterways in Asia for international maritime commerce. The High Level Ministerial Meeting will also launch ReCAAP’s Commemorative Publication, which highlights ReCAAP’s achievements and challenges faced in the past decade.
Source: MPA Singapore
