The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) actively participated in the 19th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM), an event held in Istanbul, Turkey, spanning from September 5 to 8. At the helm of the ICG delegation was Director General Rakesh Pal, leading a team comprising four distinguished members.
Throughout this comprehensive three-day conference, a multitude of crucial topics took center stage, encompassing maritime law enforcement, ensuring the safety and security of lives at sea, safeguarding the marine environment, combatting the illicit trafficking of drugs, weaponry, and human beings on the high seas, among various other pertinent subjects.
The HACGAM is an annual gathering, convened by one of its esteemed member nations in rotation. In the preceding year, the 18th edition of this assembly was graciously hosted by the Indian Coast Guard in the vibrant city of New Delhi.
This forum, boasting the participation of 23-member Coast Guard agencies and two associate members - the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) - initially emerged from Japan's visionary initiative. Its core objective revolves around fostering collaboration among the regional coastguards.
The genesis of this initiative traces back to the remarkable apprehension of the pirated vessel MV Alondra Rainbow by the Indian Coast Guard in November 1999.
Central to the HACGAM's mission is to catalyze cooperation between the coast guards representing the diverse Asian states, aiming to ensure and promote the security, safety, and environmental cleanliness of the seas within the region. To facilitate this ambitious undertaking, HACGAM features four distinct working groups that enable a concerted and purpose-driven approach to addressing shared maritime concerns.
The collective resolve of this forum is to further fortify the maritime cooperation among the Asian coast guards, reaffirming their commitment to upholding the integrity of these vital waterways.
The Indian Coast Guard, in particular, spearheads the Search and Rescue (SAR) working group and actively contributes as a proactive member to the remaining working groups. These include those dedicated to environmental preservation, the containment of unlawful activities at sea, and the facilitation of crucial information sharing among member states.
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