IMO has updated ASEAN states on its work at the latest ASEAN maritime transport working group session.
One key focus was the implementation of IMO’s Biofouling Guidelines. Philippines, as Lead Partner Country in the IMO-implemented GloFouling Partnerships Project, presented the Regional Strategy and Action Plan on Biofouling Management, which was agreed during a Regional Round Table Forum in Surabaya. The presentation was supported by Indonesia and Malaysia, Lead Partner Country and Partner Country, respectively, in the project. After discussion, the other ASEAN Member States agreed to approve the strategy and plan. The document will be forwarded to the Senior Transport Officials Meeting for adoption. This will pave the way for its implementation in the region with further support from IMO.
The 47th session of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Maritime Transport Working Group (ASEAN MTWG) was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam (17 to 18 September), followed by the ASEAN-US Workshop: Developing Sustainable Ports Through Policy, Planning, Partnership and Innovation (19-20 September). IMO was represented by the IMO Regional Coordinator for East Asia, Ms. Josephine Uranza.
IMO is one of the Dialogue Partners of the ASEAN MTWG and regularly attends its meetings to present updates on the capacity building work of the IMO through the ITCP and Major Projects which support the work of the ASEAN MTWG under the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan (2016-2025) and the ASEAN Blue Economy and Circular Economy programs.
The Global Initiative for Southeast Asia attends the meeting with IMO to support ASEAN Member States in their implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan of ASEAN States.
Other Dialogue Partners of ASEAN include China, Japan, Republic of Korea, United States of America and the European Union. Other organizations attending include transport-affiliated private sector organizations, particularly the ASEAN Port Association, Federation of ASEAN Shipowners Association and World Shipping Council.
All ASEAN Member States were represented at the MTWG meeting and the workshop (i.e., Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam). Timor-Leste attended the meeting and workshop as Observer.
Meetings of the ASEAN MTWG are held twice a year with rotational hosting among its Member States. Brunei Darussalam will host the 2024-2025 biennium meetings.