Chairman's Concluding Statement for Asian Cooperation Conference on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships

(October 4th-5th, 2001)

This Conference was attended by government officials and representatives from international organizations and private sectors in their personal capacity. It does not, therefore, aim at adopting any resolutions or agreements. To conclude this Conference, I would just like to briefly sum up the outcome of this meeting.

(SESSION 1: EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS ON PIRACY IN ASIA)

At the first session, participants discussed the current situation of piratical problems in Asia. Participants were all deeply concerned about the fact that the number of piratical cases had been increasing during the past few years and that atrocious organized crimes such as sea jacking occurred especially in the Southeast Asian waters. In the course of two-day discussions, serious concerns were expressed by the participants and representatives of private sectors about the safety of sea-farers. They also shared the view that piratical issues posed a serious threat to lives of the crew and the safety of a ship service and that the Asian region as a whole should join forces to combat the piratical problems.

At the second session, participants discussed the latest counter measures taken by each country, including domestic measures and bilateral cooperation arrangements. Participants expressed their great appreciation for various counter measures against piracy and armed robbery against ships taken by both governments and private sectors in Asian nations. They shared the view that it was important for Asian countries to continue to make such efforts in cooperation with private sectors.

At the third session, participants actively discussed the future direction of regional cooperation in combating piracy and armed robbery against ships. Participants shared the view that multilateral regional cooperation was indispensable in order to effectively combat piracy and armed robbery against ships and that Asian nations should take the initiative in taking the anti-piratical measures in Asia.
Participants shared the view that in light of the current situation where the number of the piratical cases were still increasing despite the various efforts made by countries and organizations concerned, it was necessary to explore a new approach in order to solve the piratical problems and to consider developing a regional cooperation agreement for the more effective implementation of counter measures against piracy and armed robbery against ships. Participants also shared the view that the modality of such an agreement should be subject to further discussion and that experts working group to develop the agreement should be convened at an appropriate time among the countries and international organizations represented here in this Conference.
Participants shared the view that the outcome of this Conference should be reported to the ASEAN + 3 Summit Meeting, which would be held in November, since this Conference had been proposed at the last year's ASEAN + 3 Summit Meeting: and thereafter to IMO for information and action as appropriate.

In the end, I, as Chairman, would like to express my sincere appreciation to all of you for your active participation in the discussions and for your great contribution to make this Conference successful and fruitful.

(END)