MYANMAR HOSTS 31^ST APA WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING

The Union of Myanmar played host to an assemblage of 49 executive officers of the ASEAN Ports Association (APA) and delegates to the 31^st APA Working Committee Meeting held on 20-23 September 2010 at the Sedona Hotel in Yangon, Myanmar. This is the first stint of Myanmar in hosting an APA event. Myanmar joined the Association in 2005.

In his welcome address, U Thein Htay, Managing Director of Myanma Port Authority, expressed Myanmar’s pleasure in hosting the Meeting. He also related the stages undergone by his country in the field of port development as well as other projects undertaken through the state investment program, Joint Venture, Build-Operate-Transfer, and broad private sector participation. He likewise stressed his hope that all APA members will work together to address common issues affecting the maritime transport sector such as environment protection, security and safe navigation. This was followed by the opening address of Dato’ Capt. Hj Abd Rahim bin Hj Abd Aziz, Chairman, APA Working Committee. He noted the economic rebound of the port and shipping industries in year 2010 after a downturn of more than three years. He hoped that total recovery will be attained in the very near future. He also prompted the APA Working Committee to be aware of the effects of Climate Change on ports and shipping, and to present recommendations on the implementation of mitigating measures for the APA ports to consider during the Main Meeting in Cambodia come December 2010. The meeting was then declared open by His Excellency U Thein Swe, Myanmar’s Minister of Transport. This was preceded by his keynote address in which he thanked all the delegates for attending the APA Meeting and expressed his appreciation for the Association’s full support in the implementation of the Roadmap Towards an Integrated and Competitive Maritime Transport in the ASEAN. He also urged APA to further its efforts in addressing maritime concerns, particularly those involving transnational crimes and Climate Change.

During the Meeting’s Open Session, Mr. Roland Haas and Ms. Franca Sprong-Winjreder, GTZ consultants, provided a presentation on the APA project “Sustainable Port development in the ASEAN Region”. The background, status and future action plans for the project were discussed. The Closed Session was then held in plenary wherein the Meeting adopted the Agenda as scheduled.

The delegates and APA officers were treated to sumptuous meals by the host country all throughout the duration of the APA Meeting. They were also given a tour of Myanmar’s travel and leisure attractions during their last day of stay in Yangon.

The delegations of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam extended their heartfelt appreciation to the Government of the Union of Myanmar, the Ministry of Transport, the Myanma Port Authority, the Terminal Operators and all those who gave their part in the successful conduct of the Meeting as well as the warm hospitality shown to all of them.

The Meeting and other related activities were held in the traditional ASEAN spirit of solidarity and cordiality.