Professor S. Jayakumar, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore,

Mr. Efthimios Mitropoulos, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization,

Mr. Jusman Syafii Djamal, Minister for Transport, Indonesia,

Dato' Haji Zakaria bin Haji Bahari, Secretary-General, Ministry of Transport, Malaysia,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

1.                          It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Singapore Meeting on the Straits of Malacca and Singapore: Enhancing Safety, Security and Environmental Protection, a meeting jointly convened by Singapore and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in co-operation with the other littoral States of Indonesia and Malaysia. 

Protection of Vital Shipping Lanes

2.                          This meeting is part of the IMO’s “Protection of Vital Shipping Lanes” initiative.  Conceived by the IMO in 2004, this initiative aims to promote a comprehensive approach to addressing security, safety and pollution control in critical sealanes around the world.  With 90% of world trade carried on ships, and the value of international trade more than doubling over the past ten years, it is indeed timely that attention is focused on the vital shipping lanes so crucial to world trade.  The IMO, guided by the vision of the Secretary-General, has shown leadership in steering the international agenda to where attention is required.

3.                          Ensuring the safety of lives at sea and reducing environmental pollution by shipping has been a central role of the IMO since its inception.  Setting international standards in areas such as ship design, operation and manning, prevention of pollution from ships, seafarer training and certification is one important way in which the IMO does this.  The comprehensive body of international conventions we have in force today provides clarity to shipping across jurisdictions, allowing shipping to support international trade in a safe and sustainable way.  The IMO’s role in forging consensus on international standards that balance sustainability and growth is one that Singapore supports strongly.

Straits of Malacca and Singapore

4.                          In its first series of meetings under its “Protection of Vital Shipping Lanes” initiative, the IMO has identified the Straits of Malacca and Singapore as the subject.  As one of the world’s busiest sea lanes, through which a third of global trade and half of the world’s oil flows, the Straits matter not just to countries in the region, but also those in East Asia, Middle East, Europe and beyond.  Not only do trading nations with exports or need of supplies pay heed, but also maritime nations with interests in international shipping. 

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

5.                          This is of course not the first time that the importance of critical waterways to international shipping is being recognized.  The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, establishes principles of navigational freedom for ships in international straits, balanced with provisions for the responsible management of the marine environment and its precious resources.

6.                          The UNCLOS also lays down important guidelines for co-operation among user States and coastal States in the maintenance of straits used for international navigation.  Article 43, in particular, states that “user States and States bordering a strait should by agreement cooperate:

(a) in the establishment and maintenance in a strait of necessary navigational and safety aids or other improvements in  aid  of international navigation; and 

(b) for the prevention, reduction and control of pollution from ships.”

7.                          In the meeting ahead of you, the littoral States will be presenting the details of a Co-operative Mechanism that sets out how the littoral States will involve user States and industry stakeholders in efforts to ensure navigational safety and environmental protection of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.  This Co-operative Mechanism breaks new ground as it is the first formal representation of Article 43 of UNCLOS put into action anywhere in the world.  For the region, it adds a new dimension in Straits cooperation. 

Evolution of Straits Cooperation

8.                          For over three decades, the three littoral States have had a fruitful partnership in Straits issues.   In the area of navigational safety and environmental protection, we have been co-operating through the Tripartite Technical Experts Group (TTEG).  Among the more significant achievements of the TTEG has been the traffic separation scheme for the Straits and “STRAITREP”, a mandatory ship reporting system in the Straits, both developed in collaboration with the IMO.  In the area of maritime security, the littoral States established coordinated Malacca Straits Sea Patrols and the “Eyes in the Sky” maritime air patrols.  

9.                          Effective though these avenues of cooperation have proven to be, cooperation has broadened in recent years to attain a multilateral dimension, drawing in a wider spectrum of stakeholders.  An important step in this direction was taken last year, when an Information Sharing Centre was established under the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, or ReCAAP.  With 14 countries coming together to cooperate, exchange information and share expertise to combat piracy and armed robbery in regional waterways, it is a milestone in inter-governmental anti-piracy cooperation.

10.                     The littoral States also recognized that Straits cooperation in navigational safety and environmental protection would also benefit from greater engagement of Straits users.  To this end, in 2004, Indonesia hosted the first ad-hoc meeting between the littoral States and users States and industry stakeholders.  Singapore hosted another ad-hoc meeting in 2006.  These positive engagements made it clear that involvement of user States and industry stakeholders could add to what the littoral States were already doing together.   

Co-operative Mechanism

11.           Hence, in Jakarta in 2005, it was agreed that a mechanism be established by the three littoral States to meet on a regular basis with user States, the shipping industry and other stakeholders with an interest in safe and sustainable navigation through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.  The conceptual framework of the Co-operative Mechanism, along with six projects that address the immediate needs of the Straits, was subsequently presented at the Kuala Lumpur Meeting in 2006.

12.   Officials of the three littoral States have since worked tirelessly to refine and finalize the details of the Co-operative Mechanism, in preparation for this Singapore Meeting.  User States and other stakeholders, including the IMO, were consulted to ensure that all views were taken on board.  This rigorous and inclusive process has produced a Mechanism which is both balanced and flexible. 

13.       The Mechanism institutionalizes co-operation with Straits users while reaffirming the sovereignties of the littoral States.  It creates a regular platform for dialogue between littoral States and user States and other stakeholders.  It provides alternative avenues for user States and other stakeholders to contribute to projects that can advance the safety and environmental protection of the Straits.  It does all this in a manner that is consistent with international law.

14.       I understand that several user States have already committed financial and in-kind contributions to the Straits projects that were presented at the Kuala Lumpur Meeting.  I would like to thank these countries for taking these crucial first steps, and urge others to follow suit.  The long-term success of our new framework will hinge greatly upon the early strides that we can make together. 

Conclusion

Ladies and gentlemen,

15.       Where shipping is concerned, we cannot over-emphasize the importance of international co-operation.  The littoral States, user States, international and industry organizations all have a part to play in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.  Our common interest lies in ensuring that the Straits remain safe, open and secure for shipping. That is why we are gathered here.  Your discussions over the next few days will help build new foundations for the future of international co-operation for the Straits. 

16.       On that note, let me wish you all meaningful and fruitful discussions over the course of the Meeting.  For those of you from overseas, I hope you will be able to find time to enjoy the sights of Singapore as well. 

Thank you.