KARACHI – Maritime security challenges and opportunities remained in focuson the second day of the 8th International Maritime Conference 2019 hereSunday.
The 1st and 2nd sessions were graced by Vice Admiral Kaleem Shaukat ViceChief of Naval Staff and Dr. Masuma Hasan, Chairman Pakistan Institute ofInternational Affairs as chief guests respectively. Whereas, Lt GeneralAfgan Taghiyev Veli Chief of Coast Guard State Border Service Azerbaijanand Vice Admiral Alexandru Mirsu Ph.D Chief of Romanian Naval Forcesattended as guests of honour.
During the first session, Admiral William Owens Former Vice Chairman UnitedStates Joint Chief of Staff stressed upon the significance of global naviesfor facilitating peace and cooperation among nations. Senior Captain ShaoShuguang, Commander Task Force, PLA (N) China expressed his desire to keepthe Indian Ocean stable in wake of non-traditional security threats at seawhere interests of multiple stakeholders converge.
The speaker was followed by Vice Admiral Asif Khaliq, Commander Karachi whohighlighted about contemporary Maritime Security challenges from Pakistan’sperspective.
Last speaker of the first session was Rear Admiral Mehmet Cen Okyay,Commander of Turkish North Task Group who added that freedom of high seasis the core principle for maritime commerce and shipping. Following sessionof the day was themed on Maritime Dynamics of the Western Indian OceanRegion.
Eminent speakers included Dr Christian Bueger, Professor at CopenhagenUniversity, Denmark who emphasized upon the need for security architecturein the Western Indian Ocean for a sustainable and stable future. Dr. SyedRiffat Hussain, National University of Science and Technology (NUST) addedthat the scope of sea borne trade has expanded to new folds due combinedeffects of globalization and technological changes.
The distinguished scholar Bhagya Senaratne, Lecturer at General Sir JohnKotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka stated that Indian Ocean is one ofthe busiest shipping routes of the globe that presently being confounded bydistrust.
Read Top Stories
In the last session, Dr Nazery Khalid, Head of Group Corporate, BousteadHeavy Industries, Malaysia was the keynote speaker who explicatedopportunities for development of a blue economy in the Indian Oceanlittorals.He was followed by Vice Admiral (R) lftikhar Ahmed who was of the opinionthat CPEC will make Gwadar an unparalleled hub of economic activities. DrAneel Salman, Head of Business Management Program, COMSAT, presented apaper on sustainable oceanic economic growth strategy for Pakistan.
Last speaker of the session was Irfan Rahim, Director Special Projects atInternational Maritime Organization (IMO). He emphatically appreciatedPakistan’s Navy efforts in ensuring maritime security of Global Common inIndian Ocean Region.
He not only highlighted Pakistan Navy’s Maritime Security Initiative ofestablishing Regional Maritime Security Patrol but also appreciated PNcontribution in fighting transnational crime out at sea.
The conference is being attended by a large number of dignitaries fromacross the globe, tri-services officers, academia, media representativesand researchers from local and international think tanks. APP
