Participants in the 11th ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Maritime Security pose for a photo (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The 11th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)Inter-Sessional Meeting on Maritime Security wrapped up in central Da Nang cityon March 15.
The two-day event was co-chaired by Vietnam,Australia and the European Union. Over 80 officials and experts on maritimesecurity and cooperation from 27 ARF members and relevant internationalorganisations looked into the current maritime situation, activities ofcooperation mechanisms, countries’ policies and measures, maritime safety,maritime environment, and sustainable development.
Discussing the regional maritime security situation,participants emphasised the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedomof navigation and aviation, along with adherence to and enforcement ofinternational law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS), on seas in the region.
They voiced concerns about the continuedcomplicated developments at sea, including unresolved disputes; the increase oftrans-national crimes like piracy, drug trafficking, and human trafficking;overexploitation of natural resources; and environmental pollution.
Given that fact, participants shared the viewthat countries in the region need to continue enhancing cooperation to dealwith challenges in an effective manner.
Many of them also expressed concerns about therecent developments in the East Sea, including unilateral actions andmilitarisation, which have seriously affected peace, stability, security,safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the region, hindering afavourable environment for cooperation to address common challenges.
They highlighted the principles of respectinglaw; adhering to and seriously implementing international law, including the 1982UNCLOS; exercising self-restraint and not taking actions that can complicatethe situation; not militarising; settling disputes by peaceful means; fully andeffectively carrying out the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the EastSea; and building a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in thewaters that is in conformity with international law.
The meeting recognised efforts by regionalmechanisms and many countries to strengthen cooperation in ensuring maritimesecurity, including setting up direct communication channels among defenceofficials, conducting joint patrols, building and expanding information sharingmechanisms, building and improving capacity, and ASEAN-China negotiations on anefficient and effective COC.
The meeting was the third activity on maritimesecurity held by Vietnam within the ARF’s framework since the beginning of2019. Participants spoke highly of the Vietnamese delegation’s role andcontributions to the event.
Its outcomes will be reported to the ARF Senior Officials’Meeting slated for late May in Thailand.
Founded in 1994, the ARF aims to promotecountries’ dialogue and cooperation in political-security issues, thuscontributing to peace, stability and trust building in the region. It comprises27 members, including the 10 ASEAN member states and 10 ASEAN dialoguepartners.
Among the ARF’s working groups, Vietnam,Australia and the EU are co-chairing the one on maritime security for the2018-2020 period.-VNA
VNA
