Objective History Motto Monogram Member Organisation Secretariat

Objective

HACGAM aims at the construction and development of capabilities in coast guard organisations for the Asian region through working level discussion on overall maritime safety, security and environment protection issues, having in mind that the cooperation fostered by the constant efforts of HACGAM member organisations is effective to promote safe and secure maritime environment and cleaner seas in the region, as well as good relationship and mutual trust.

History

In 1999, the number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in Southeast Asian waters rapidly increased and more brutal cases started to occur. Against such a background, Japan proposed a meeting of the maritime security authorities concerned. Accordingly, the "Regional Conference on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships" was held in Japan in 2000.

From 2000 to 2004, Regional Senior Experts Meetings of Coast Guard Agencies on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships were held four times in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.

Subsequently, under the initiative of Japan, the Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) was held in Japan in 2004 with the participation of the heads of Coast Guard agencies in the Asian region, where the globally important sea lanes such as the Straits of Malacca and Singapore lie.

The first meeting was attended by Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

Since its inception, HACGAM has been held on a regular basis within a framework that fully respects the competence and the principle of voluntary engagement of each Coast Guard agency, expanding its agenda, membership and efforts to be discussed.

Motto

 Safe, Secure and Clean Seas 

Monogram

Member Organisation

Participating Countries

Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

Participating Region

Hong Kong

Associate Member

ReCAAP ISC

Secretariat

The Secretariat is established by the agreement by member organizations. Secretariat functions include

  • Preparation of the agenda,
  • Drafting and distribution of related documents,
  • Update of the HACGAM contact list, and
  • Any other administrative actions needed to hold HACGAM meetings.

Japan Coast Guard provides the Secretariat for the HACGAM and coordinates the administration and follow up of the related activities.