jpnn.com, JAKARTA - The Indonesian Coast Guard (Bakamla) and Australia Border Force (ABF) have held the fourth Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) to strengthen relations between the two countries through cooperation in the field of maritime security and safety.
This was a high-level meeting attended by top leaders from both agencies.
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The meeting specifically addresses plans for operational cooperation, capability development and personnel training, information exchange, and other activities to be carried out in 2022.
Head of Bakamla Admiral Aan Kurnia said this year's collaboration had led to the success in organizing the Maritime Security Desktop Exercise (MSDE) on June 15, which involved 35 foreign delegates on a hybrid program.
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The MSDE is part of the results of the Head of Asian Coast Guard Agency Meeting (HACGAM) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) forums.
In addition, the fifth Gannet Operation was carried out successfully, as supported by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
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The Covid-19 pandemic have hampered most of the activities this year, but Bakamla and the ABF are trying to find the best solution to realize their planned collaboration.
"Although we have aldready achieved so much, I'm sure that there is a lot that we can do to enhance this cooperation, especially to maintain maritime security and safety in both countries in the future," Aan said.
Evaluating of the implementation of the third Senior Officials Meeting Record of Discussion (ROD) with the ABF, Aan said several cooperation programs had to be adjusted due to Covid-19, one of which was a study visit by the Maritime Border Command (MBC) to the Bakamla Command Center to review opportunities for developing maritime domain awareness.
"Although we have difficulties implementing the ROD, we are still grateful that the cooperation between Bakamla and the ABF remains strong, and we have succeeded in finding the best alternative to continue," Aan added.
During the meeting, they also discussed plans for 2022 and a follow-up on delayed programs. They include the sixth Gannet Operation, training and personnel development through the Maritime Enforcement Faculty at the Jakarta Center for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC), the 2022 MSDE, and a follow-up on the exchange of information in maritime security.
In addition, ABF Commissioner Michael Outram APM discussed sea lanes that had the potential for increased narcotics smuggling based on research by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (fri/mcr20/jpnn)
This news has been broadcast on JPNN.com with the title: Bakamla RI dan Australia Border Force Gelar Pertemuan Tingkat Tinggi, Nih Hasilnya