The
HISTORY
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Background.
In 1967, countries in South
East Asia region forged an economic and trade alliance called the Association of
South East Asian Nations or ASEAN to
advance their agenda for economic growth, social progress and cultural
development. Its founding
member-nations were: Indonesia,
Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Since then, the ASEAN has played
a pivotal role in the international community and has put forward the ASEAN’s
interests.
Moving
in the same direction, a parallel cooperation tie was formed in the following
decade to build a strong base foundation for regional cooperation among port
authorities in the area. Although preoccupied with the more exigent issues
involving port matters, the ASEAN Port Authorities Association (APAA) was
conceived to provide a venue for port officials concerned to meet and share
experiences that may lead to finding solutions to identified problem areas and
emerging issues affecting the port sector.
Its
Beginnings.
The inspiration of establishing an alliance of port authorities in the ASEAN was
hatched during a sports festival held in Sabah in 1974. After a series of
meetings relating the drawing up of framework and mechanism for regional
cooperation, the ASEAN Port Authorities Association, now ASEAN Ports
Association, was born. It was the
brainchild of Messrs. R. Geotina of the Philippines and J. E. Habibie of
Indonesia, both participants of the Sabah sports fest.
These gentlemen are now fondly remembered as the founding officers of the
APA and elected as the first Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Association in
1975.
The
APAA was originally envisioned as an organization that could provide the proper
forum for the achievement of the following broad objectives: exchange of
information, harmonization of trade practices, and promotion/facilitation of
trade among ASEAN ports. The first
annual meeting of the APAA was convened in Manila, Philippines on September
1975. This was attended by port
representatives from the five ASEAN member-countries, namely: Indonesia,
Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
During the momentous meeting, the members officially approved the Terms
of Reference of the Association and subscribed to its objectives, principles and
purposes. The forming of the
Association represents the collective will of the member-ports to foster
friendship, extend support and cooperation to promote the interests of ports.
The
founding members of APAA consist of government agencies in the ASEAN countries
which are organized and functioning either as a corporate body or as a bureau.
The Port of Singapore Authority, Indonesia Public Port Corporations,
Kelang Port Authority (Malaysia), Port Authority of Thailand and Philippine
Ports Authority function as corporate body.
These ports operate like private business and therefore enjoy autonomy in
the management, development, operation and financing.
They are also clothed with certain regulatory powers over ports under
their jurisdiction.
The
bureau-type ports, on the other hand, are administered by other government
bodies where they are organically positioned, usually under the umbrella of the
Department/Ministry of Transportation and/or Communications.
The Ports of Indonesia are classified under this category.
Expansion.
During the 21st APAA Main Meeting in Singapore in November 1997,
the Members formally adopted the changes in the Constitution and By-Laws of the
APAA. Among the amended/additional
provisions include: the 
modification
in the name of the Association to ASEAN Ports Association (APA); inclusion of
one more star in APA’s logo representing the formal membership of Vietnam
ports into the Association; expansion of the scope of activities and objectives
of the Association to cover port planning and development as a major concern of
the APA as well as fostering of close relationship with other regional/
national/international port or port-related groups/associations; expansion of
APA membership to include corporatized
or privatized ports as associate members.
Membership.
The Association is presently
composed of regular and associate members collectively recognized as members by
the Association. Regular members
are those national port authorities
and/or the country ports with the government retaining majority interest. Corporatized or privatized ports comprise associate members.
These Members determine programmes of work and priorities, annual budgets
and other affairs of the Association; elect
the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman; and, attend special meetings to discuss
matters on proposals, recommendations or reports of the Working Committee or
Technical Committees.
To
enhance its collective strength, membership of the Association was expanded with
the admission of ports in Brunei Darussalam in 1984 and Vietnam in 1996.
Invitations have been extended to Laos and Myanmar to join APA as
members.
Structure
and Officers. A
Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, a Secretary-General are the executive officers of the
Association. The Chairman and the
Vice-Chairman are elected from among the Members for a term of two years.
The Secretary-General, appointed
by the Chairman, is responsible for the coordination and administration of the
activities of the Association. The
executive officers are employees of a Member at all times.
APA
organization is composed of the following
organic bodies, each having specific areas of responsibilities:
Main Committee, Working Committee, Technical Committee and Sports
Committee. The Main Committee
renders overall guidance and supervision over the affairs of the APA and
formulates policies and decisions on vital issues that concern it.
The Working Committee functions as the technical arm of the Main
Committee. The
preparation/evaluation of all issues taken up during Main Committee meeting
emanates from it.
The
Technical Committee is not a permanent body and is established for the purpose
of performing special tasks. It
is disbanded upon completion of the assigned tasks for which it was created.
The Sports Committee, for its part, is organized to oversee the planning
and implementation of all activities relating to the holding of a sports meet
which used to be a biennial event of the Association.
The
APA Secretariat was initially composed of the Secretary-General and is based in
the country where the elected Secretary-General hailed.
Considering the enormous responsibilities of the Secretary-General, the
19th APA Main Meeting held in Indonesia in December 1993
formally established a Permanent Secretariat.
The Philippines, through the Philippine Ports Authority, has since then
provided the services of the APA Permanent Secretariat.
Programs
& Activities
.
Meetings.
For the implementation of its activities and strengthening of the bond of
cooperation, annual APA meetings (Working Committee meeting during the middle of
the year an a Main Meeting towards the end of the year) are convened
in plenary and attended by
all Members. The annual meetings serve as the supreme policy-making body of the
Association. These review the progress of the Association’s works and
projects, decide on vital issues on hand, and address other areas of concerns.
The venue of Meetings is rotated from one country to another and is held
at such time and place as determined by the Members.
Completed Projects.
In pursuance of its mandate and activities, the APA, throughout its existence,
has successfully embarked on and implemented a number of projects covering
various aspects of port affairs. These are mainly financed from the funds of the
Association derived from membership dues, contributions and donations, and
income derived from its undertakings.
Among
its completed projects is the ASEAN/EC Technical Assistance for an Integrated
Harbour Management Programme. The
three-year European Commission-funded programme featured the conduct of annual
seminars/trainings on seven courses – General Management Programme for Senior
Managers, Port Marketing Seminar, Port Information Technology, Container
Terminal Operations and Maintenance, Container Transport and Intermodalism,
Container Terminal Management and Operations and Port Planning and Financing.
A total of 458 personnel and officials attended the seminars/training
courses during the period 1993-1995.
GO
TOP
HOME