Page 11 - Diplomatic Voice Vol 4

FORUM NEWS The workshop involved several promi- maritime boundaries in the Straits of up and reinstatement measures and nent academicians and practitioners. Malacca. H.E. Professor Dr. Rahmat economic losses resulting from They are Professor Dr. Rahmat Moha- Mohamad stressed the importance of maritime transport of hazardous and mad, Secretary-General of AALCO in understanding maritime disputes such noxious substances. New Delhi; Associate Professor Dr. as in the case of Pedra Branca or Wan Izatul Asma Wan Taalat from the Pulau Batu Puteh to Malaysia and how The final speaker, Dr. Hazmi Mohd Institute of Oceanography and En- it would benefit Malaysia in handling Rusli provided an in-depth knowledge vironment, Universiti Malaysia Tereng- territorial disputes in the future. on the history of maritime boundary ganu; Associate Professor Dr. Wan Siti delimitation in the Straits of Malacca Adibah Wan Dahalan from the Centre The second speaker, Associate and the issues of conflicting maritime for International Law and Siyar, Facul- Professor Dr. Wan Izatul Asma Wan claims among its claimant-states. He ty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Taalat spoke on the roles of govern- suggested that Malaysia work togeth- Malaysia; and Dr. Hazmi Mohd Rusli ment and highlighted the way forward er with its closest neighbours, Indone- from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia. in the protection of marine endan- sia and Singapore, in dealing with Dr. Sufian Jusoh, IDFR’s Distinguished gered species in Malaysia for the unfinished business amicably under Fellow was the moderator. extension of our economic develop- the spirit of good-neighbourliness. ment. She suggested that Malaysia Ambassador Aminahtun Hj. A. Karim, work on an institutional reform for The workshop was attended by the Deputy Director General of IDFR more effective governance. officials from the Ministry of Foreign delivered the Welcoming Remarks and Affairs and other government agen- set the tone for discussion by stress- Then, Associate Professor Dr. Wan Siti cies, representatives from foreign ing the need to understand key Adibah Wan Dahalan enlightened the missions, university students and concerns of maritime issues such as attendees about chemical pollution IDFR officers. The half-day workshop maritime claims, boundary delimita- from shipping in the Straits of Malac- was beneficial in highlighting the tion, increasing threat of pollution and ca. She explained the importance of importance of maritime boundary protection of marine life. the 2010 Hazardous and Noxious issues in the Straits of Malacca. Substances Convention and Protocol The workshop was an interactive which ensures adequate, prompt and session with diverse views and effective compensation for damage to opinions shared on related issues of persons and property, costs of clean Roundtable Discussion on The Growing U.S.-ASEAN Partnership and Priorities at the East Asia Summit (EAS) The Welcoming Re- current situation in the South China marks was given by Sea. In regards to what the U.S. could Ambassador Aminah- offer ASEAN, he said that the U.S. is tun Hj. A Karim, Deputy forming an improvement of ASEAN Director General of people’s capacity building efforts IDFR. Ambassador A- more than the physical projects in the minahtun highlighted ASEAN region. The session was very that the strong and interactive and educational. cohesive relations a- mong ASEAN member In attendance were H.E. Joseph Y. On 27 October 2014, IDFR in collabo- countries and between ASEAN and its Yun, the U.S. Ambassador to Malay- ration with the Embassy of the United dialogue partners, such as the United sia, H.E. Air Chief Marshal (Rtd.) States, Kuala Lumpur organised a States (U.S.), are crucial towards Herman Prayitno, the Indonesian roundtable discussion titled The Gro- achieving the goals of Malaysia’s Ambassador to Malaysia, other mem- wing U.S.-ASEAN Partnership and chairmanship and the future success bers of the diplomatic corps, officers Priorities at the East Asia Summit of ASEAN. from various government ministries, (EAS). The talk was delivered by Mr. faculty members from several univer- Matthew Palmer, Director of Multila- Mr. Palmer spoke on the way forward sities, representatives from NGOs and teral Affairs in the Bureau of East Asian in EAS and its challenges including university students. and Pacific Affairs of the U.S. Depart- development, security and economic ment of State. prosperity. He also touched on the DIPLOMATIC VOICE 11