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| The ASEAN delegation took a photo with DIRSOMAR representatives during the tsunami warning and maritime security survey in Chile. (Source: Embassy of Vietnam in Chile) |
On November 26, in the port city of Valparaíso, Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Santiago, Vietnamese Ambassador to Chile Nguyen Viet Cuong, led a delegation of ASEAN Ambassadors to visit and work with two maritime agencies of the Chilean Navy: the Directorate of Maritime Security and Operations (DIRSOMAR) and the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA), under the Directorate General of Maritime Territory and Commercial Maritime Navigation (DIRECTEMAR). The program focused on surveying the tsunami warning system and solutions to ensure maritime security and safety.
The visit coincided with the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) – a binding cooperation framework in Southeast Asia that was established after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Accordingly, strengthening early warning capacity and resilience to natural disasters continues to be a common priority for the region.
Speaking at DIRSOMAR, Ambassador Nguyen Viet Cuong emphasized the essential role of maritime security for ASEAN's sustainable development, and highly appreciated Chile's experience in managing and coordinating maritime activities along its more than 6,400 km coastline.
The ASEAN delegation learned about the operational model of the Chilean Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Chile), which manages search and rescue operations over an area of approximately 26 million km² through a network of five main centers and 11 support centers, operating 24/7. DIRSOMAR is also responsible for the maritime safety system with 650 lighthouses, coast guard functions and marine pollution response.
At SHOA – an agency with a history of more than 150 years – the delegation was introduced to the national tsunami warning system, including the deep-sea monitoring network, seismic and data processing procedures for early warning. The coordination between SHOA and DIRECTEMAR response units demonstrates the real-time information connectivity model, which plays a key role in disaster response. SHOA is currently an active member of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.
Chile's experience in applying technology, data analysis and building a unified response process offers many suggestions for ASEAN in implementing AADMER's goals of risk assessment, prevention, response and recovery after natural disasters.
The visit contributes to promoting contact between ASEAN and Chile, ASEAN's Development Partner since 2019, and opens up new directions for cooperation in the field of marine management and disaster risk reduction in the coming time.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-viet-nam-chu-tri-doan-asean-khao-sat-canh-bao-song-than-va-an-ninh-hang-hai-chile-335996.html
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