Maritime Security
The 18th Governing Council of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP)
September 10, 2024
- The 18th Governing Council Meeting and its Open Session of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), a regional cooperation framework for combating piracy and armed robbery at sea in Asia, were held in Singapore from March 13 to 15, 2024.
- At the meeting, the ReCAAP-ISC reported the status of piracy and armed robbery against ships at sea in Asia in 2023. The Governing Council reviewed the activities of the ReCAAP ISC in 2023 and its future plans. In addition, the Council concurred on promoting cooperation with non-Parties, international organizations and non-governmental organizations.
- All 21 contracting parties to the ReCAAP participated in the Governing Council, and its Open Session was attended also by France, Greece, the European Union, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the shipping industry, research institutions and others. From Japan, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) participated in the meeting and expressed their appreciation for the role which ReCAAP plays in securing Asia’s maritime areas and emphasized the importance of the cooperation through ReCAAP as a part of the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). Japan also expressed that it will strengthen cooperation with relevant countries in the field of maritime security, including support for strengthening the maritime law enforcement capabilities of littoral states.