MANILA, Philippines — The Federation of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Shipowners Association (FASA) -- which employs a "big chunk" of Filipino seafarers -- raised the importance of completing the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.
FASA Chairman Mohamad Safman bin Othman made the remark on Thursday at the sidelines of the 10th Asean Media Forum (AMF) where he spoke about the Asean's role in advancing rules-based maritime cooperation.
"We know that the Code of Conduct is bilateral agreements between countries, and of course, Asean is the region that, you know, have a great interest in COC," said Othman when asked about the urgency of completing the COC under the perspective of shipowners.
"But in terms of the industry, we think it's important to have COC. But we will continue to do our economic activity regardless of what happened to COC because we have set of rules mandated by IMO (International Maritime Organization) as well," he said in a chance interview.
Asean Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn on Wednesday raised the "urgency" to have the Code of Conduct COC in the South China Sea "in place" or finalized.
"We want to see a peaceful, stable, well-managed South China Sea in the interest of all," the Asean secretary-general said. Kao said the COC "will have a restraining effect on all parties."
Othman said that "safety of navigation and free navigation is something that we, you know, hold under UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea). So, we believe that even though it's important, but as a ship owner, ship operator we will continue the activity, regardless of what will happen to [negotiation for] the Court of Conduct," he added.
Asked whether the FASA has a voice in the negotiation for the COC or if the group is represented in the negotiation table, Othman replied in the negative. "But we give our view to governments of each national association."
Asean Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn on Wednesday raised the "urgency" to have the Code of Conduct COC in the South China Sea "in place" or finalized.
Kao made the remark during the 10th AMF as he also expressed confidence that the COC would be completed under the Philippines' Asean chairmanship this year.
"The key issue is that you must make sure that you put a lot of restraint on all parties, exercise maximum restraint. And that should not escalate conflict to the level of confrontation," he said.
"That's why there's a need, there's an urgency to get the COC in place. Because we don't want to see a South China Sea become a hotspot every day, every week, every month," Kao stressed.
He said that since its inaugural edition in 2017, the AMF has brought together media leaders and editors-in-chief from across the Asean Member States with Asean policymakers, government officials, academics, opinion leaders and representatives from the business community.
"It provides an opportunity to examine Asean's priorities, achievements and challenges alongside the wider regional and global developments that continue to influence and impact our community," Kao said.
"It also invites us to reflect on how journalism, mass media, and public communication can deepen understanding of Asean and its work among our peoples and beyond," he added.
