CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Concluding remarks
49 In summing up the discussion in all three countries the IMO representative thanked the representatives of the host Governments for the detailed information provided concerning the piracy situation within their country's areas of national jurisdiction and for sharing with the IMO group their concerns regarding piracy and armed robbery in the region. He expressed appreciation for the information provided on the various governmental agencies and the resources at their disposal dedicated to preventing and suppressing piracy and armed robbery against ships.
He was particularly pleased to know about the operational agreements that the Government of the Philippines had concluded with the Governments of Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand to combat piracy in their waters.
He highlighted the openness and frankness of the discussions and expressed the hope that the concerted effort of all concerned would soon bear fruit and the attacks of pirates and armed robbers against ships in the region would soon be reduced to the maximum possible extent.
50 The observer from ICS/ISF accepted that there was still a reluctance on the part of some masters to report attacks or attempted attacks to the nearest coastal State. An effort would be made to encourage owners to ensure that their ships made such reports as a matter of course.
General comments
51 As stated in the introductory part of this report, the principal purpose of the mission was to increase awareness of the problem; impress upon the Govrnmental representatives concerned the need for action; and more importantly, motivate political will to act at national and regional levels. The mission also aimed at encouraging the countries visited to participate in the regional seminar and workshop scheduled to be held in Singapore from 3 to 5 February 1999 for countries bordering the South China Sea (including the two IMO Associate Members in that region) and the Malacca and Singapore Straits.
52 High-level Governmental representatives of the countries visited participated in the meetings, which were characterized by an open and frank exchange of views.
53 The co-operation of the representatives of the Indonesian, Malaysian and Philippino authorities and the constructive and positive atmosphere in which the meetings were conducted was acknowledged; as was the information provided on the existing and planned regional infrastructure to combat piracy and armed robbery against ships in the three countries' areas of responsibility.
Conclusions
54 In all three countries visited the officials who participated in the discussions expressed their Governments' concern over, and political will to act on, the issue of piracy and armed robbery against ships at national and regional levels.
55 Willingness was indicated to ensure participation in the regional seminar and workshop scheduled to be held in Singapore in February 1999 by Governmental representatives of sufficient seniority who were dealing or would be dealing with the issue of piracy and armed robbery against ships in their respective countries.
