AT THE RECEPTION ON THE HEADS OF ASIAN COAST GUARD AGENCIES MEETING AT AMBASSADOR’S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE
2019/10/8
Ambassador's Speech
Rear Admiral Samantha Wimalathunge, the Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guard,
Distinguished participants of the 15th HACGAM,
Vice Admiral Okushima, Vice Commandant for Operations, Japan Coast Guard,
Excellences,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good Evening.
First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for gracing this auspicious evening with your kind presence. I would also like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Sri Lankan Government and the Sri Lankan Coast Guard for extending their valuable support for hosting the 15th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting, HACGAM in short, here in Sri Lanka.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
HACGAM celebrates its 15th Anniversary this year. It was launched in Tokyo in 2004 with the aim of strengthening the regional cooperation of the Asian countries on maritime safety. In recent years, the role of maritime security agencies, “the maritime defenders”, so to speak, has become increasingly important as we witness growing threats in the maritime domain, which include drug smuggling, IUU fishing, human trafficking and piracy. Since these cross-border crimes cannot be addressed by any single country, the significance of HACGAM is enhancing.
As I understand, during the current sessions of HACGAM, the distinguished participants will engage in active discussion on the issues of: (1) search and rescue operation; (2) prevention of maritime illegal activities; (3) environmental protection; and, (4) support for capacity building. Needless to say, coordinated efforts by the countries concerned are imperative in order to address these pressing subjects most effectively. In this respect, I firmly believe that the HACGAM provides a valuable platform to strengthen such coordination among the maritime law enforcement agencies of Asia, with a view to maintaining and promoting “free and open seas”, which is in the common interest of all the participating countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Smuggling and human trafficking are global threats that imperil the free and open seas, presenting themselves as major problems in the Indian Ocean Region as well. In this regard, Japan has been extending seamless support to coastal countries in Asia and Africa in their efforts to enhance maritime law enforcement capabilities, including through providing patrol boats, technical assistance, and human resource development. Japan has also been cooperating with the UNODC to conduct VBSS training courses with the help of the Sri Lankan Navy for maritime law enforcement agencies of the South and South East Asian countries. Sri Lanka is located at the pivot of the east-west sea lanes and there is heavy traffic of oil tankers off its coast every day. Recently, the Japanese Coast Guard conducted a training course for Sri Lankan Coast Guard officers for handling oil spill accident effectively. We will continue to actively contribute to maintaining and strengthening the maritime order and ensuring the safety of sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific region, in close cooperation with the countries in the region and international organizations.
Let me take this opportunity to briefly touch upon the vision of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Oceans, FOIP in short, that the Government of Japan has been promoting recently. It is a vision that upholds the Indo-Pacific Oceans to be “Global Commons,” or “international public goods,” which would benefit all the countries, littoral and non-littoral alike. There are three main pillars or principles to achieve this end, namely: (1) strengthening the rule of law, especially freedom of navigation; (2) enhancing connectivity through “quality infrastructure”, and; (3) maintaining maritime peace and security. I would like to stress that the vision of FOIP is an inclusive concept open to all countries that share its basic principles, and that it corresponds closely to the vision of HACGAM as well.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate my sincere appreciation to the Sri Lankan Government and the Sri Lankan Coast Guard for extending dedicated cooperation to hosting the HACGAM in Sri Lanka, and I hope that tonight's reception will deepen friendship among the participants, to bring the 15th HACGAM to a great success.
On this note, may I now invite you to raise your glasses for a toast?
- To further strengthening of cooperation among Asian country Coast Guard Agencies, and.
- To the health and happiness of all present here this evening,
“Kanpai” “Cheers“
Thank you very much! Enjoy the evening.