The annual forum brought together senior maritime officials from across the Asia-Pacific region, with 22 member states and five observer organisations in attendance. The forum continues to enjoy increased participation from women and Pacific Island members, thanks to generous funding from the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
This year's forum was held in conjunction with Korea Maritime Week 2019, and was opened by Mr Kim Min-jong, Director General of Maritime Affairs and Safety Policy Bureau, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), Republic of Korea.
The forum welcomed discussion on significant maritime matters of interest to the region including:
- efforts to prepare for the introduction of the 0.50 per cent sulphur limit from 1 January 2020
- promotion of the IMO's action plan to address marine plastic litter from ships
- plans to review and update the Pacific Islands Regional Marine Spill Contingency Plan (PACPLAN)
- sharing of information of recreational boat safety programs
- efforts to operationalise e-Navigation in the region
- progress of gender equality in the Pacific maritime sector
- the value of the Pacific Search and Rescue Workshop (PACSAR) in helping to building SAR capability in the region and
- efforts to ensure continuation of the IMO's regional presence in the Pacific.
While in Seoul, the Australian delegation took the opportunity to participate in the 5th Pacific IMO Coordinators meeting, hosted by Maritime New Zealand, and held bilateral meetings with the heads of the Republic of Korea MOF and Papua New Guinea National Maritime Safety Authority.
The 21st session of APHoMSA will be held in Vancouver, Canada in 2020.
Read about APHoMSA and our involvement in the meeting, and other international engagement.