The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC), with the support of the Japan Coast Guard and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, today concluded a five-day Capacity Building Executive Programme (CBEP) in Tokyo, Japan. The meeting, held from 21-25 October 2024, was attended by senior officers from the Japan Coast Guard, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Japan Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, as well as representatives from 14 ReCAAP Focal Points/Contact Point (Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong (China), India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Laos, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vietnam).

Capacity building is one of the three main pillars of the ReCAAP ISC’s mission. The CBEP provided a platform for the ReCAAP Focal Points/Contact Point to network and exchange best practices, and update on the latest situation of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia.

A range of topics were presented and deliberated, including:
• Efforts to address unauthorised boarding and armed robbery/petty theft onboard ships in territorial waters, ports and anchorages
• Case studies on the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators
• Counter piracy measures and maritime security policies
• Acts of piracy and exercise of jurisdiction by coastal States

Participants also interacted with members of the Japanese Shipowners’ Association, and during group discussion on the future of ReCAAP ISC. Mr Krishnaswamy Natarajan, Executive Director, ReCAAP ISC, said, “Piracy and armed robbery against ships are transnational maritime crimes which require the collective effort of all stakeholders to deter and suppress. Over the past five days of the CBEP, ReCAAP Focal Points/Contact Point updated on the counterpiracy efforts in their respective regions, and reassessed their resources and preparedness to deal with armed robbery against ships in their Area of Responsibility (AoR). I would like to extend my appreciation to the Japan Coast Guard and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for their invaluable assistance in organising this meeting.”

Rear Admiral SHIRASAKI Shunsuke, ReCAAP ISC Governor for Japan and Deputy Director General, Administration Department, Japan Coast Guard, said, “Since ReCAAP ISC was formed in 2006, Japan has played an active role in helping to enhance the capabilities of ReCAAP Focal Points/Contact Point to combat piracy, sea robbery and other transnational maritime crimes. We are pleased to co-host the CBEP, which has helped enhance communication between maritime law enforcement agencies, and renewed ReCAAP member States’ commitment to ensuring safe and secure seas for the unhindered movement of maritime trade in Asia.”