- Author
- Date, John C., RANVR (Rtd)
- Subjects
- History - general
- Tags
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- April 1992 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
With the emergence of the Asian-Pacific region as the most economically dynamic in the world, important issues are requiring constant attention, such as:
- territorial disputes,
- claims on marine resources,
- political disagreements,
- fishing rights,
- nuclear waste disposal,
- seabed mining
- marine oil pollution
- new ports
- piracy/criminal
- disturbances
- regulating scientific research
- boat people refugees
- acceptance of the laws of the sea
Indeed these issues were made very clear by VADM I MacDougall, Chief of Naval Staff (Australia), and co-host of the Conference in his closing remarks that a well organised programme was required for stability in the Asian region. While accepting the central importance of the USA, the complex issue of the law of the sea, structural and operational control amongst the eleven countries represented, clarification of borders and unification of cultural and political views were well aired by delegates. Such a multi-national gathering enhancing a better understanding of each country’s problems was a useful step to regional planning and security.