A three-day long 6th International Maritime Conference was opened by Federal Minister for Defence Khawaj Asif at a local hotel on Saturday.
The prime organiser of the event is National Centre for Maritime Policy Research (NCMPR), a constituent unit of Bahria University, said a statement.
The conference is being attended by experienced scholars from Australia, Canada, China, India, Sri Lanka, USA and UN’s FAO to speak on the topic “maritime economy, environment and security cooperation: bringing the west pacific and the Indian ocean closer”.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah NI (M) and Director General of NCMPR V/Adm Asaf Humayun Hi (M) (r) welcomed all the guests included foreign delegates, local dignitaries, government officials, experts of maritime sector, academia and naval personnel.
Addressing the audience, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif emphasised on mutual cooperation. He stated that the efforts to enhance cooperation at the sub regional and international levels had to address the development of maritime security arrangements.
In addition, the issues of information exchange, training and education, humanitarian assistance for disaster management, as well as the development of protocols and systems to facilitate such arrangements should also remain in sharp focus.
The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral in his welcome address said that the strategic and economic vitality of the west pacific and the Indian ocean compel regional states to enhance maritime cooperation beyond traditional spectrum.
It is encouraging to see that NCMPR had brought this important area under focus and arranged the conference on a very apt theme.
The discourse on brining the west pacific and Indian ocean closer is an admirable idea which will help in analyzing the perceptions and perspectives about the changing socio-political, economic and environmental scenario.
On the occasion, the thematic paper was presented by Mr. David Griffiths from International Ocean Institute, Canada.
His paper was on “Maritimes Discourse, Dialogue and Deliberation in the 21 Century”, which stated that it is in everyone’s best interest that there should be peaceful, environmentally sustainable, socio-economic cooperation throughout these two great ocean areas.
Dr James A Boutilier, Special Advisor Policy- at Canada’s Maritime Forces, spoke on the challenge of Unresolved Maritime Disputes in the East Asian Waters.
He believed East Asian Waters are arguably unique in terms of the number and complexity of unresolved maritime disputes.
China has come to realize the enormous value of sea power and has focused its attention on the importance of sea lanes of communication and seabed resources like oil and gas.
His presentation was followed by Rear Admiral Yu Manjiang from China. He deliberated on the topic “Enhance the Maritime Security; foster a harmonious ocean Together”.
Dr Rizwana Abbasi from National Defence University Islamabad explained the impact of Indian and Chinese technological development on regional stability in South Asia.
Najamuddin A Shaikh former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan attended the second session as the guest of honour.
Other speakers of the day included Dr Stanley B Weeks from USA, Captain Michael McArthur from Royal Australian Navy and Rear Admiral Farrokh Ahmed HI (M) from Pakistan.
They presented their papers in the afternoon session, which was chaired by Dr Masuma Hassan, Chairperson of the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs.
Dr. Weeks focused on cooperation mechanisms on combating crimes at sea. His paper examined significant recent initiatives of bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms, particularly within the ASEAN bodies and in the North Pacific Guard Forum, and the Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies meetings.
These initiatives can be further utilized and enhanced to improve regional maritime cooperation and effectiveness in combating crimes at sea.
The evolution of Pakistan Navy as an arbiter of peace and regional stability was discussed by Rear Admiral Farrokh Ahmad HI (M) in his paper titled “ole of PN in Maintenance of Regional Peace and Security”.
