(VOVworld) – Improving cooperation in humanitarian relief and natural calamity mitigation is one of the topics at the 5th ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) and the 3rd ASEAN Maritime Forum Plus in the central city of Da Nang, Vietnam. As an important sea route linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the East Sea has always seen a large volume of shipping. The sea area has regularly suffered from natural calamities which directly threatens the lives of fishermen. Cooperation in search and rescue at sea is an important way to foster peace in the East Sea.
A two-day forum on August 27 and 28 will include the 10 ASEAN members and their 8 partners - China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and the US.
Beginning in 2010, the ASEAN Maritime Forum has been a venue in which to foster mechanisms for national defense, combating cross-border crimes, developing transportation, fisheries, tourism, and the environment, increasing marine cooperation, connecting fishery sectors, responding to natural disasters, and studying marine biology. The forum also makes recommendations to governments on feasible measures.
Focusing on humanitarian purposes and trust building
A peaceful, undisputed sea is the most favorable environment for international cooperation. When territorial disputes arise, it’s crucial to build a trustful political environment for marine cooperation.
Due to natural calamities, unexpected reasons, or human actions, people traveling and working on the East Sea can meet with an accident. A cooperative mechanism for search and rescue at sea is important both for humanitarian purposes and for building trust. Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh said prior to the forum:“It’s unacceptable to block humanitarian relief for any reason. Despite tense relations between countries and natural disasters, humanitarian purposes must be foremost. We must ensure that all ordinary sea travelers are rescued in case of accident.”
Building an effective cooperative mechanism in humanitarian relief at sea
Recently, ASEAN countries have actively engaged in search and rescue cooperation for people and ships at sea. Drills among ASEAN countries and ASEAN and its partners have been organized. The conference on “Enhancing ASEAN-China cooperation in search and rescue of persons and vessels in distress in the East Sea” was held in Vietnam last year.
ASEAN countries have worked with each other on building common measures to support accident victims in the East Sea, identifying factors affecting humanitarian cooperation in the region, and making practical recommendations to improve search and rescue at sea to ensure peace, stability, marine security and safety, and freedom of navigation. Deputy Foreign Minister Vinh again:“To build a cooperative mechanism, countries have to inform each other about their policies. It’s important to have a regional communication center that collects information about accident victims and contacts their nations or the nearest nations at least. We need a regional cooperative mechanism on search and rescue which also provides assistance for member countries.”
As a coastal country, Vietnam aspires to build mutual trust and regional cooperation for peace and stability in the East Sea. Hosting the forum shows Vietnam’s responsibility for and contribution to ASEAN’s key priorities of promoting maritime cooperation and safeguarding maritime security and safety throughout the region.