Maritime community working together for safe seas

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Rear Admiral Nguyen Dinh Hung, Deputy Commander of the Navy, attending the conference.

Held within the framework of the International Maritime and Defense Exhibition (IMDEX) 2023 hosted by the host country Singapore, IMSC attracted more than 400 international delegates, including Commanders, Commanders of Navies, Coast Guards, Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies; experts from the maritime industry, international scholars and consulting organizations from nearly 40 countries.

The conference included three discussion sessions on the following topics: The impact of geopolitical developments on maritime security; ways for maritime agencies to enhance peace and stability; and cooperation in the future maritime environment.

In addition, this year's IMSC also featured a special session on the topic of "Adjusting the role of communities in the face of growing maritime threats", discussing the role of coast guards and law enforcement agencies at sea. During the discussion, scholars emphasized the importance of maritime enforcement agencies in ensuring maritime security and safety, promoting safe seas and ensuring maritime security. This year's IMSC featured speakers from maritime enforcement agencies and coast guards for the first time.

In his opening speech, Rear Admiral Sean Wat, Commander of the Singapore Navy, emphasized the presence of maritime practitioners, academics, policymakers and stakeholders, creating a maritime community working together to deal with maritime security challenges, including piracy, illegal fishing and other economic activities at sea. Rear Admiral Sean Wat also mentioned new and urgent challenges such as climate change, extreme weather events, rising sea levels, which are changing economic activities and the way of operating in the maritime sector.

The Chief of the Singapore Navy called for responsible use of the oceans to conserve biodiversity; stressed that this is an opportunity for countries to demonstrate collective responsibility, discuss threats to maritime safety and security; and promote collective solutions to deal with common security challenges at sea.

Earlier, on the evening of May 3, at the IMSC welcome dinner, Singapore's Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How highlighted how countries are building maritime capacity to address growing maritime threats that are undermining the safety and security of vital waterways; stressing the need to continue building trust and understanding through dialogue and practical cooperation at sea to ensure maritime security. According to Mr. Heng Chee How, in addition to practical cooperation, open and comprehensive dialogue is important to build trust and confidence among policymakers.