ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Maritime Security opens in Da Nang
The 11th ASEAN Regional Forum Inter-Sessional Meeting on Maritime Security (ARF ISM-MS) opened in the central city of Da Nang on March 14 with the participation of more than 80 delegates from 27 ARF countries and experts from international organisations.
Da Nang (VNA) – The 11th ASEAN RegionalForum Inter-Sessional Meeting on Maritime Security (ARF ISM-MS) opened in thecentral city of Da Nang on March 14 with the participation of more than 80delegates from 27 ARF countries and experts from international organisations.
The annual meeting, held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairsof Vietnam in collaboration with the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs andTrade and the European Commission, aims to review maritime security situationas well as cooperation activities within the ARF, and giving recommendationsand initiatives for the next period.
At the event, participants are exchanging their opinions onthe regional maritime security, including outcomes of cooperation andchallenges, as well as efficiency of current relevant mechanisms.
They are also sharing information on policies and measuresapplied at the national level, while discussing various matters related tomaritime safety, sea environment and sustainable development.
A number of reports on activities carried out in themid-term year are being released, including the ARF conference onimplementation of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 andother legal documents for the settlement of emerging maritime challenges thatwas jointly held by Vietnam and Australia on February 26-27 2019, and anotherARF conference on strengthening cooperation in law enforcement at sea on March12-13 in Da Nang.
As scheduled, the delegates will debate and approve newinitiatives and add them into the ARF plan of actions in the 2019-2020 period.
Established in 1994, the ARF aims to promote dialogue andcooperation among member countries in politics-security, thus contributing topeace, stability and trust-building process in the region.
Currently, the forum has 27 member states and organisations.Vietnam, Australia and the EU are co-chairs of the ARF ISM-MS in the 2018-2020period.
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Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
