They are considered the most important activities in 2017 for ASEAN Navies in celebration of the 50th foundation year of the regional organization.
The highlight is IFR 2017 taking place on November 20, chaired by Thai Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-ocha, with the participation of nearly 40 ships from 20 countries such as China, the US, Russia, Japan, and India.
The Vietnamese delegation at the event
Vietnam’s ship, the Ly Thai To 012, will participate in all programs under AMNEX-1 and IFR 2017.
Addressing the ceremony, Thai Deputy Prime Minister, Prawit Wongsuwan said that these events offered an opportunity for ASEAN Navies to affirm their coordination determinations in maintaining maritime security and their willingness in jointly dealing with any threat and challenge in the region.
ASEAN Navies will continue to be an active force in addressing emerging issues in ASEAN member countries and in the region as well, he concluded.
After the opening ceremony, ANCM-11 took place with the theme “Protection and Preservation of the Marine Environment.” Rear Admiral Pham Hoai Nam, Commander of the Vietnam People’s Navy, attended the event.
The meeting aimed to further promote cooperation among ASEAN Navies in effectively protecting the marine environment in the region, which is facing increasing threats.
Admiral Pratoomsuwan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy emphasized that the active participation of ASEAN Navy Chiefs in the event shows their solidarity and responsibility to exchange points of view and discuss measures and issues of mutual concern to seek future cooperation potentials.
It is time for ASEAN Navies to boost mutual understanding through various practical activities in order to further improve their joint operation capability, especially in protecting the regional marine environment, he added.
In his speech at the event, Rear Admiral Nam emphasized that the marine environment is facing non-traditional threats. Because of the population boom and demands to develop economies along with the rapid exhaustion of resources in the mainland, countries are inclined to exploit resources at sea and seek riches from the sea. However, they still lack sustainable production techniques and make light of protecting the environment in general and the marine environment in particular.
The Vietnamese Navy Chief brought up four primary challenges to the marine environment confronting many coastal countries and territories, namely marine pollution, damage to the natural environment of marine creatures, illegal fishing and the impacts of climate change.
According to Rear Admiral Nam, countries have to take responsibility for concertedly and economically using and exploiting marine resources, minimizing illegal fishing, and remedying environmental pollution and preventing marine pollution from tourism, petroleum exploration, exploitation and transportation, natural marine resource exploitation, fishing, aquatic breeding, and construction of marine projects.
Additionally, the head of the Vietnamese delegation suggested establishing marine conservation zones; building facilities to tackle natural disasters, coastal erosion and climate change; and closely observing the marine environment for sustainably using marine resources and firmly preserving the marine environment.
Moreover, participating delegates attach importance to fostering cooperation among regional naval forces in protecting and preserving the marine environment. The host Admiral Pratoomsuwan stressed that ASEAN Navies must see marine environment protection and preservation as their common issue and then reach a consensus on their cooperation on this issue.
In the afternoon of the same day, Rear Admiral Nam met with the heads of delegations from Japan, Singapore and the US.
Additionally, countries participating in AMNEX-1 and IFR 2017 sent representatives to join a street carnival in Pattaya city.
Also in the afternoon, all participants enjoyed an ASEAN cuisine night at Dusit Thani Pattaya hotel.
Translated by Van Hieu