The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has updated the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on its technical cooperation activities and opportunities for regional collaboration to advance safer, greener and more inclusive maritime transport across Southeast Asia. The presentation was delivered during the 51st meeting of the ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group (MTWG), held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (20-21 October).
ASEAN, comprising 11 Member States-Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor‑Leste and Viet Nam-plays a vital role in global trade and sustainable growth, particularly in shipping, shipbuilding, logistics, and the maritime workforce. IMO participates in MTWG meetings as a Dialogue Partner, supporting regional maritime programmes and raising the profile of the sector.
During the meeting, IMO highlighted progress under IMO's Technical Cooperation Framework for the 2026-2027 biennium and identified areas of potential alignment with the ASEAN Transport Sectoral Plan (ATSP) 2026-2030.
IMO outlined its approach to technical cooperation, emphasizing needs-driven assistance informed by Member States' requests, detailed needs analyses and findings from the IMO Member State Audit Scheme. The Organization also encouraged ASEAN maritime administrations to use the IMO Technical Cooperation Portal to submit requests for support, monitor ongoing activities and improve alignment between national priorities and IMO assistance.
The IMO delegation included Ms. Jean Ver Pia, Head of the Asia and Pacific Section (APS) who attended online, Ms Johanna Diwa Acallar, Regional Coordinator for East Asia, Ms Astrid Dispert, Mr Jamie Jones, and Ms Nadine Bresemann from the GreenVoyage2050 Programme team who attended in person.
ASEAN Member States expressed appreciation for IMO's technical assistance and welcomed the appointment of Ms Acallar as the new Regional Coordinator, noting the positive developments in strengthening IMO's regional presence. IMO's Regional Presence Office for East Asia plays an important role in connecting the Organization's global priorities with regional and national needs. Its work includes facilitating technical cooperation, strengthening partnerships, supporting resource mobilization and promoting the exchange of knowledge and experience among Member States in the region.
IMO also officially launched its new Blue Solutions Project, which will support efforts to reduce emissions from ships, ports and hinterland transport in ASEAN, in cooperation with PEMSEA, advancing the transition towards greener maritime transport across the region.
The Global Initiative for Southeast Asia (GI-SEA), represented by Mr Tawirat Bates, also updated the meeting on the progress of its activities to support the implementation of MOU on ASEAN Cooperation Mechanism for Joint Oil Spill Preparedness and Response and the Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan (ROSCP), including the results of the High-Level Spill Preparedness Capability Survey.
