ReCAPP (ISC) launched in Singapore to deal with sea piracy

Singapore, Nov 29 (UNI) The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia here today launched a ReCAPP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) to tackle the menance of sea piracy.

''The launch of the ReCAAP (ISC) marks the first time cooperation among regional governments against piracy and armed robbery at sea is institutionalised in a permanent body with full-time staff,'' Singapore Transport Minister Raymond Lim said.

The platform of the ReCAAP (ISC) will allow swift exchange of information between the national monitoring agencies of the participating countries on incidents of piracy, it said.

''This will enhance the region's collective ability to respond to piracy threats, which are often transnational in nature. The ISC will also serve as a platform for capacity-building for member countries and publish reports and analysis on piracy trends in the region,'' the Minister said.

Mr Yoshiaki Ito was unanimously chosen as ReCAPP (ISC) Excutive Director by the Governing Council during its first meeting held in Singapore yesterday. The meeting will end tomorrow.

The Governing Council, comprising one representative from each Contracting Party, will meet annually and oversee policies guiding the work of the ReCAAP (ISC).

The ReCAAP (ISC) will be funded largely by voluntary contributions from ReCAAP Contracting Parties.

As the host of the ISC, Singapore has contributed significantly for the operations of the ISC by funding the entire start-up costs of the Centre and committed to funding its annual operating costs.

ReCAAP is the first regional government-to-government agreement to deal with the piracy problem in Asia and it now has 13 Contracting Parties. Bangladesh has also signed and ratified the agreement and will soon become a Contracting Party.

Singapore, along with other Contracting Parties, looks after the signing and ratification of the ReCAAP agreement by the remaining countries.

UNI XC HS KN1742