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The 10th Maritime Security Desktop Exercise organized by the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), Australian Border Force (ABF) and Maritime Border Command (MBC). ANTARA/HO-the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla RI) - 

Nearly 36 countries participated in the 10th Maritime Security Desktop Exercise (MSDE) organized by the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), Australian Border Force (ABF), and Maritime Border Command (MBC).

The four-day event is being held with the objective of honing the capability of regional maritime security personnel in handling various incidents in line with the international law, a spokesman of the Bakamla Col Wisno Pramandita noted in a statement here on Saturday.

Bakamla Head Vice Admiral Aan Kurnia noted in a speech delivered by the agency's Deputy for Policy and Strategy, Rear Admiral Tatit E. Witjaksono that countries in the region faced threats in maritime security.

The increased trade volume and countries' dependency on maritime resources had given rise to a wide range of problems in regional waters.

"This should become a common concern among coastal states in the region, and it will need comprehensive multilateral cooperation," he stated.

Participant countries are members of the Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): Indonesia, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Comoros, India, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, and Malaysia.

Other participants are Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor Leste, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and Yemen.

Commander of Australia's MBC RADM Mark Hill noted that the event had brought together operation personnel at various levels from HACGAM and IORA member countries.

Participants have discussed maritime security scenarios and built professional relations with partners from other nations.

The discussion not only prioritized maritime security and safety but also maritime operations that had been adjusted to the COVID-19 preventive measures.

Indonesia and Australia have initiated the Maritime Security Desktop Exercise (MSDE) since 2009 to enhance regional understanding of the implementation of the international law of the sea//ANT