WASHINGTON – Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi visitedUSA to attend 23rd International Seapower Symposium-2018 (ISS) held from18-21 Sep 18 at US Naval War College Newport.

The event involved panel discussions on issues related to common maritimechallenges and opportunities to enhance international maritime securitycooperation.

During ISS, bilateral meetings between Chief of the Naval Staff and seniorInternational Naval dignitaries including Naval Chiefs of Australia,Brazil, Germany, Japan, PLA (N) and Turkey were also held to discussmatters of mutual interest. During the discussions, Admiral Zafar MahmoodAbbasi briefed the participants on Maritime Perspective of Pakistan withspecial focus on PN contributions to regional maritime security.

The Admiral underscored the challenges to Indian Ocean security andmentioned about Pakistan Navy’s initiative of Regional Maritime SecurityPatrol (RMSP) which is aimed to shoulder international obligations towardssafe and secure maritime environment in the region.

The purpose of International Seapower Symposium is to provide a forum forsenior international naval leaders to discuss common maritime challengesand opportunities to enhance international maritime security cooperation.Discussions at ISS would further strengthen the efforts to enhancecooperation in countering piracy, providing disaster relief & humanitarianassistance, coordinating search & rescue at sea including submarine rescue,planning & conducting coalition military operations and joint lawenforcement to counter arms, drugs and human trafficking as well asfisheries and pollution violations.

Participation of the Naval Chief in 23rd International SeapowerSymposium-2018 reflects Pakistan’s commitment for regional peace and is amanifestation of PN contribution towards regional maritime security througha collaborative approach.