THE ASEAN PORTS ASSOCIATION (APA) CONDUCTS ITS 41st WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING (WCM) VIA ONLINE PLATFORM
The 41st Working Committee Meeting (WCM) of the APA was conducted on 20 July 2022 via online meeting platform hosted by Vietnam. The Meeting was attended by delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The Chairman of the WCM, Mr. Nguyen Uyen Minh, Deputy General Director of Saigon Port officially opened the Meeting. In his Opening Address, the Chairman-WCM emphasized the need for close cooperation among APA members to overcome the difficulties brought about by the continuing effects of the pandemic, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, soaring fuel and freight costs, and rising inflation, among others.
Mr. Minh further noted the importance to collaborate and focus on innovations, the application of modern technology, and green initiatives.
After the Opening Address, a Keynote Address was delivered by Mr. Le Tuan Anh, Director General of International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Transportation of Vietnam. The Director General stressed the role of APA as a forum to discuss various measures to safely and effectively control the pandemic to reopen the borders in order to develop the APA member countries’ economies to which port business contributes remarkably.
Noting that APA has had very good relations with other regional and international organizations and is currently working with these organizations on various programs and projects, he expressed the view that APA should assume more responsibilities and obligations in promoting sustainable development of maritime and ports community in the region. He suggested that APA should set up more working channels and involve itself more with the works of ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group/Sub-Working Groups.
Among the topics discussed during the WCM are the holding of the future APA calendar of events and the assumption of Executive Officers for 2023-2024 which will come from Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam. The names of the next Executive Officers will be confirmed during the 46th APA Meeting in November 2022.
One of the highlights of the Meeting was the discussion on the review of the APA Strategic Program. In consideration of the new normal brought about by the pandemic, and other recent developments affecting the Association, the Meeting agreed to review and discuss its programs and projects for the coming years.
The Heads of Delegation expressed their sincere and warm appreciation to Vietnam for the excellent arrangements made in hosting the Meeting.
