Littoral States and stakeholders of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS), one of the busiest waterways used for international shipping, have been meeting in Singapore for the 8th Co-operation Forum (5-6 October) to discuss the application of technology in navigational safety and sustainable port and shipping initiatives. The Co-operative Mechanism is the key platform for the littoral States of the SOMS, user States, the industry and other stakeholders to engage in dialogue, exchange information and share perspectives on important issues relating to the SOMS. The Co-operative Mechanism was launched at an IMO-Singapore Meeting in 2007 following a series of IMO-sponsored meetings on the SOMS under IMO's "Protection of Vital Shipping Lanes" initiative. IMO’s Ashok Mahapatra is participating in the 8th Co-operation Forum and will also attend two further meetings under the Cooperative Mechanism, the Tripartite Technical Experts Group (7-8 October) and the Project Coordination meeting (9 October). IMO administers the IMO Malacca and Singapore Straits Trust Fund, set up to support capacity-building activities in the Straits.