PH to co-host Southeast Asia maritime surveillance, info sharing meet

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 13, 2024): PH to co-host Southeast Asia maritime surveillance, info sharing meet (By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz)

MANILA – The Philippines is set to co-host the 2025 Indo-Pacific Regional Information Sharing (IORIS) Steering Committee meeting, and will be represented by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

In a statement on Wednesday, MARINA said the event will highlight efforts to strengthen regional governance within Southeast Asia (SEA) in collaboration with the European Union and the Critical Maritime Routes Indo-Pacific (CRIMARIO).

“With the Philippines' co-hosting role, it signifies [the country’s] commitment to enhancing maritime security and fostering regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Such efforts are crucial for regional prosperity and connectivity,” it said.

The IORIS initiative also seeks to enhance cooperation between its members in maritime surveillance, information exchange, crisis management using the IORIS platform, and strengthen their commitment to address challenges in the region, such as illegal activities at sea and ensuring maritime security and navigation safety.

The announcement was made during the 2nd IORIS Steering Committee meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka held from March 5 to 7.

More than 130 government officials and representatives from 56 agencies and authorities across the Indo-Pacific region participated in the three-day IORIS Steering Committee meeting.

The event aimed to consolidate and enhance the governance of the IORIS platform that was designed to facilitate coordination and exchange of information to respond effectively to maritime security threats and support sustainable fishers.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1220740