Preparatory conference for 7th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting opens

July 8, 2011
Source:Xinhua

A conference to prepare for the upcoming 7th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting was convened here Thursday under the chairmanship of the Japanese Coast Guard.

According to Vietnam News Agency, the conference was attended by representatives from 18 countries and territories including Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, China's Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

Challenges to peace and stability in the region, including pirates, terrorists, dissemination of arms, human and drug trafficking, climate change and natural disasters, will impact countries and territories in Asia-Pacific region.

Chief of Vietnamese Coast Guard Department, under the Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General Pham Duc Linh, said in that context, to strengthen cooperation among countries, especially law enforcement bodies to ensure security and safety on the sea, build more confidence and understanding as well as handle those challenges are imperative.

Delegates discussed and agreed upon the working agenda and related documents for the 7th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting, which is to be held in October 2011, which is expected to promote cooperation among participating countries' coast guard.

Vietnam suggested some feasible measures to be implemented in the coming time, including support to personnel training, organization of meetings among countries with geographical similarities, said the report.