PH Hosts 8^th ASEAN Maritime Forum, 6^th Expanded Maritime Forum

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo (6^th from left) and National Security Council Deputy Director-General Vicente M. Agdamag (7^th from the left), together with the heads of delegation from ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat, at the Eighth ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF).

MANILA 18 December 2018 — The Philippines was at the forefront of discussions on maritime concerns and regional security as it hosted 8^th ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) and the 6^th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) at the Diamond Hotel in Manila on 06-07 December 2018.

The AMF was chaired by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo, and was attended by officials from ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat.

At the Forum, National Security Council (NSC) Secretariat Deputy Director-General Vicente M. Agdamag, representing National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr., delivered his keynote remarks—encouraging participants to continue their efforts in further strengthening the Forum as the foremost regional mechanism on maritime security.

Since its inception in 2010, the AMF has provided a venue for ASEAN member states to discuss developments in various regional maritime issues and concerns, and to promote dialogue and cooperation to address such concerns through ASEAN maritime-led mechanisms.

The Forum also serves as a platform for government representatives from ASEAN member states and experts from regional and international organizations as well as think-tanks and the academe to interact and exchange views on the most important and pressing challenges to maritime safety and security, including piracy and armed robbery at sea, safety of navigation, marine environmental pollution, and other traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

Undersecretary Manalo also chaired the 6^th EAMF, which was attended by officials from ASEAN member states as well as representatives from Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States.

Timor-Leste participated for the first time as a guest of the Sixth EAMF Chair, while the ASEAN Secretariat was also represented at the meeting.

Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Michael P. Ong keynoted the EAMF, highlighting the importance of further cooperation and collaboration among states in addressing current and emerging maritime issues. END

National Security Council Deputy Director-General Agdamag (left) delivers his keynote remarks at the Eighth ASEAN Maritime Forum.

Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Ong delivers his opening remarks at the Sixth Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum on 07 December 2018.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo (5^th from right) with Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Ong (5^th from left) and heads of delegation of the Sixth Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum.