On November 24, 2008, important stakeholders in the safety and environmental protection of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore met at a symposium in Kuala Lumpur to exchange views, and discuss the various contributions they have made as well as the way forward. The joint statement produced at the symposium, which provides the results of the symposium in a nutshell, is reproduced below.

Joint Statement
on
Saftey and Protection of the Marine Environment
in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore
by The Nippon Foundation and
the Round Table of International Shipping Associations

The Nippon Foundation and the Round Table of International Shipping Associations (hereinafter referred to as “RTisa”) convened the International Symposium on Safety and Protection of the Marine Environment in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (hereinafter referred to as “the Straits”), which was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 24th November 2008 (hereinafter referred to as “the Symposium”).

The Symposium was attended by 175 participants from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore (hereinafter referred to as “the littoral States”), the International Maritime Organization (hereinafter referred to as “IMO”), RTisa, representatives of the maritime industry and other stakeholders.

The purpose of the Symposium was;

to share updated information and exchange views among the littoral States, user States and users of the Straits, along with the Nippon Foundation and RTisa, on the latest developments following the launch of the Co-operative Mechanism at the 2007 IMO Singapore Meeting, and to discuss the various contributions by stakeholders, including the shipping industry, under the framework of the Co-operative Mechanism to ensure safety and protection of the marine environment.

Mr. Spyros Polemis, chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping, on behalf of the RTisa spoke of the multifaceted contribution of the shipping industry to safety and protection of the marine environment through the employment of safe, well-manned ships and the commitment to continuous improvement. The most effective way forward was to promote communication and cooperation between all stakeholders, and the shipping industry was fully committed to this process. He reminded the audience of the contribution of US$1million by the Middle East Navigational Aid Service (hereinafter referred to as “MENAS”).

Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of The Nippon Foundation, stated that the shipping industry be more aware of the importance of voluntary contribution for safety and protection of the marine environment in the Straits as a preventive measure against accident and, in order to encourage voluntary contribution from all stakeholders including the shipping industry, The Nippon Foundation was already planning to contribute US$2.5 million to the Aids to Navigation Fund (hereinafter referred to as “the Fund”) in early next year, in accordance with its commitment made at the 2007 IMO Singapore meeting, which pledged contribution for the Fund of one third of its total cost for the first five years.

Y.B. Dato’ Sri Ong Tee Keat, Minister of Transport, Malaysia in his opening address expressed his appreciation to The Nippon Foundation and the RTisa for taking this important initiative in organizing the Symposium. He stated that the littoral States were convinced that the Co-operative Mechanism was the best platform to promote voluntary cooperation from the users of the Straits including the shipping industry. He was thankful to The Nippon Foundation for the contribution of US$2.5million to the Fund, and hoped this kind gesture would encourage others in the shipping industry to emulate.

THE NIPPON FOUNDATION AND RTisa;

RECOGNIZING the strategic significance of the Straits for the regional and global economy and the importance of enhancing safety and protection of the marine environment in the Straits,

RECOGNIZING ALSO the importance of the role of the IMO, the user States, the Nippon Foundation, RTisa and other stakeholders in cooperating with the littoral States in promoting and enhancing safety and protection of the marine environment in the Straits,

COMMENDED the significant efforts of the littoral States in enhancing safety and protection of the marine environment in the Straits with the launch of the Co-operative Mechanism, in particular for establishing the Fund in April 2008 and for the successful completion of the assessment survey of identified aids to navigation in the Straits in September 2008,

WELCOMED WITH APPRECIATION the commitment of the financial contribution of US$700,000 by the Japanese Shipowners’ Association, as the pioneer contributor from the members of RTisa, towards safety and protection of the marine environment in the Straits and the development of the global economy,

WELCOMED ALSO WITH APPRECIATION the contribution from MENAS of US$1million pledged for 2009 and the hope that this would become an annual donation to the Fund on behalf of international shipowners,

NOTED WITH APPRECIATION the significant contribution of IMO and the industry associations to the development of the Marine Electronic Highway Project and its potential for enhanced safety of navigation and protection of the marine environment,

NOTED the significance of the initiation of the Symposium by the Nippon Foundation and RTisa and the need to continue the dialogue,

NOTED ALSO the importance of voluntary contributions under the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility by all stakeholders including the shipping industry to ensure sustainable safety and protection of the marine environment in the Straits,

AGREED to strengthen their joint efforts to promote understanding among the parties concerned regarding enhancing safety and protection of the marine environment in the Straits, and

EXPRESSED DEEP APPRECIATION to Malaysia for being host country of the Symposium on behalf of the littoral States.