Safety of navigation, e-navigation and marine environmental protection in what is one of the busiest waterways used for international shipping are on the agenda as representatives of littoral States (Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore), user States and stakeholders of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore gather this week (26-30 September) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. They are attending their regular meetings under the Cooperative Mechanism on Safety of Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. IMO’s Hiro Yamada participated in the 9th Co-operation Forum (26 September) and is also attending two further meetings under the Cooperative Mechanism, the Tripartite Technical Experts Group (TTEG-41) and the Project Coordination meeting (to 30 September). Mr Yamada encouraged donations to the IMO- administered IMO Malacca and Singapore Straits Trust Fund, set up to support capacity-building activities in the Straits.
The Cooperative Mechanism was established in 2007 to foster cooperation and communication between the littoral States, user States and stakeholders of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore under IMO's "Protection of Vital Shipping Lanes" initiative. The Cooperative Mechanism comprises three interconnected and complementary components. The Cooperation Forum serves as a platform for dialogue; the Project Coordination Committee coordinates the implementation of Straits Projects; and the Aids to Navigation Fund receives direct financial contributions for the provision and maintenance of critical navigational aids in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.