TOKYO, JAPAN Friday 1 Nov 2013 - The 3rd Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) Short Term Exchange Program held at the Joint Maritime Security Defence Force (JMSDF), Staff College in Tokyo, Japan from 23 October to 3 November 2013, was hosted by Vice Admiral Izuru Fukumoto, President of JMSDF, Staff College.
In accordance with the National Defense Program Guidelines which was issued in December 2010, the JMSDF has been cooperating more closely with Japan’s allies and friendly countries in order to ensure maritime security.
As part of that effort, the JMSDF has changed the WPNS Seminar for Officers of the Next Generation (WPNS SONG, which had been hosted by the JMSDF Staff College from 2003 to 2010) into the WPNS STEP, and the 2nd WPNS STEP was successfully held last year.
The purpose of the WPNS STEP is to contribute toward ensuring maritime security through establishing a larger human network for upcoming officers and promoting exchange among the officers. This year’s event saw a gathering of 23 officers from 22 countries around the globe, most of who were from Naval Officers that represented their nation’s navy.
This year’s theme was “Challenges that Navies currently confront”. As part of the event, the JMSDF Staff College was providing an opportunity for promising Participant Officers to attend lectures and discussions from the lecturer from JMSDF Staff College which focused on Security Maritime Challenges, Maritime Cooperation and the Roles of the Navies. Towards the end, President of JMDSF Staff College closed the symposium on 1st November 2013 and made a remarks that the common interests in the region may serve as grounding elements for the countries to take a more peaceful stance, rather than an aggressive one. In addition, the most important elements required is the political will of the countries involved in order to enhance a common understanding and collaboration. The Vice Admiral also mentioned that no nations can solve the complex challenges alone and mutual respect, trust, transparency and cooperation have to be made to see how best a win to win situation can be met. With that, it can promote a peaceful, friendly, stability, economic growth and prosperity in the region.
The RBN were represented by Maj (L) Haji Norbahrin bin Haji Muamad – Fleet Engineering Officer RBN. Maj (L) Haji Norbahrin was also given the privilege to present The Maritime Challenges and Maritime Security Cooperation in the Southeast Asia to the Admiral, Directing Staffs and the whole symposium which held at Seminar Room in the JMSDF Staff College.