OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETING
16 As stated above, the main objective of the seminar and workshop was to protect the safety of life at sea and the marine environment through assisting Governments and officials in the countries concerned to enhance their capability for preventing and suppressing piracy and armed robbery against ships mainly through the implementation of the pertinent guidelines developed by IMO. It also aimed at discussing, where appropriate, the development of cooperation agreements between neighbouring countries with respect to combating this threat through coordinated patrols and other means. The seminar and workshop was also expected to review the IMO Guidelines contained in MSC Circulars 622 and 623 with a view to recommending:
.1 amendments for the MSC to take into account in any future review of the Guidelines;
.2 special measures applicable to the region, for incorporation in the Guidelines as appropriate; and
.3 augmenting them, where necessary, with additional advice specific to individual countries.
The seminar and workshop would also consider the recommendations of the mission of experts to the region.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE SEMINAR AND WORKSHOP
17 With funds provided by the Governments and international organizations referred to in paragraph 7 above, the seminar and workshop budget covered:
.1 economy class return air fares and hotel accommodation for two Government nominated participants from each developing country invited; and
.2 expenditures on lecture papers and necessary materials relevant to the theme of the seminar and workshop supplied to the participants.
18 The Governments of Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States, the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and the International Chamber of Commerce (IMB) covered all costs connected with the participation of their lecturers.
19 The IMO Secretariat planned and coordinated the seminar and workshop and arranged for the services of four lecturers from three IMO Member Governments and two international organizations. It also recruited an independent consultant to present a paper.
20 The Government of Singapore provided host country facilities, including conference facilities, office equipment and secretarial staff as well as local transportation.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
21 The agenda, as adopted by the regional seminar and workshop, is given in annex 2.
