SUCCESSFULLY CO-HOSTED THE 23RD SESSION OF ASIA PACIFIC HEADS OF MARITIME SAFETY AGENCIES
The Asia Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies forum (APHoMSA) is the main international community having an important role in the maritime sector of the Asia and Pacific region. The Mongolia Maritime Administration (MMA) has become a member of APHoMSA in 2018 with the supported votes of other members of the forum. The members are obliged to organize the annual session in their respective countries on a rotation basis. In 2019, during the session held in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, the 23rd session was scheduled to be in charge of MMA. Accordingly, it was successfully co-hosted on June 5-8, 2023 collaborating with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
The session was attended by 120 representatives from 28 countries in the Asia-Pacific region and 9 observer international organizations, such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Tokyo MOU, and the Pacific Community etc.,
The Director-General of MMA, Mr. Otgonsuren.D opened the session with his opening remarks and the opening ceremony was organized in cooperation with the Embassy of Mongolia in Australia. The performance of horse fiddle, khuumii, contortion and folk dance of Mongolia shown during the opening ceremony was much appreciated by the delegates.
During the session, the MMA introduced three papers under the topics of the participation of landlocked Mongolia in the protection of the marine environment, the recent activities of Mongolia in the development of the maritime sector, and the measures taken by Mongolia to support the participation of women in the maritime sector. After each paper discussion, the delegates of the Republic of Korea, China, Kiribati, Canada, and Australia expressed their appreciation and support for the measures taken by Mongolia in the maritime sector and the work and endeavors of Mongolia to improve its ship registration.
In addition, the MMA held bilateral meetings with the representatives from the Republic of Korea, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the Maritime Safety Authority of the People's Republic of China, the Secretariat of the Tokyo MOU, US Coast Guard exchanging opinions on cooperation in the maritime sector and technical assistance.
All the participants expressed their gratitude to the MMA for jointly organizing the session, and the event was broadcast live on Mongolian National Television. It was an important event to increase the participation and reputation of Mongolia in the maritime sector internationally. Furthermore, the only member representing a landlocked country to APHoMSA is the MMA.
