SINGAPORE HOSTS 17-NATION SEMINAR ON MARITIME SECURITY
1. Representatives from 17 navies have concluded a three-day meeting in Singapore to discuss the sharing of information on maritime security.
2. The 4th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) Maritime Security Information Exchange Seminar, hosted by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), was held at the Sheraton Towers Singapore hotel from 27 to 29 Aug.
3. Representatives from seven maritime agencies and think-tanks were also invited to participate in this year's seminar, which featured the theme 'Safe and Secure Seas for All'. Singapore's Chief of Navy, Rear- Admiral Chew Men Leong, delivered the opening address at the seminar on 27 Aug.
4. Held annually, the seminar aims to enhance information-sharing and promote interoperability among the participating navies and agencies. The participants discussed approaches taken by different countries to tackle maritime security threats and initiatives to enhance maritime security.
5. This year, the participants were also updated on changes in the Regional Maritime Information Exchange (ReMIX), a secure website launched in Oct 06 to facilitate information-sharing among the WPNS community. ReMIX incorporates real-time shipping databases and sense-making tools to enhance the maritime situational awareness of the WPNS countries.
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Participating Navies in 4th Western Pacific Naval Symposium Maritime Security Information Exchange Seminar 1. Chilean Navy (Armanda de Chile) 2. French Navy (Marine Nationale) 3. Indian Navy 4. Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut) 5. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force 6. Mexican Navy (Armanda de Mexico) 7. Military Maritime Fleet of the Russian Federation 8. People's Liberation Army (Navy) 9. Peruvian Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru) 10. Republic of Korea Navy 11. Republic of Singapore Navy 12. Royal Australian Navy 13. Royal Brunei Navy
14. Royal Malaysian Navy 15. Royal New Zealand Navy
16. Royal Thai Navy 17. United States Navy
Participating Maritime Agencies and Think Tanks in 4th Western Pacific Naval Symposium Maritime Security Information Exchange Seminar
1. Australian Border Protection Command 2. China Maritime Safety Administration
3. Indonesian Maritime Security Coordinating Board 4. Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
5. National Security Co-ordinating Committee 6. 'Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia' Information Sharing Centre 7. United States Coast Guards ### Singapore's Chief of Navy, Rear-Admiral Chew Men Leong (centre), together with the participants of the 4th Western Pacific Naval Symposium Maritime Security Information Exchange Seminar. Lieutenant-Colonel Chow Ngee Ken, Head Maritime Security Branch, Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), delivering a presentation on RSN's information -sharing initiatives.