Press Releases
Singapore Launches Enhanced Technical Co-Operation and Training Package for IMO and its Member States
25 April 2018
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1. Singapore has launched an enhanced 5-year technical co-operation and training package for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its Member States. Valued at USD 5 million (approximately SGD 6.5 million), the package comprises fellowships, scholarships, workshops, and courses to enhance capacity-building and human resource development. The package builds on the Memorandum of Understanding Between Singapore and the IMO Concerning a Third Country Training Programme (TCTP)1, under which the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has been providing capacity-building assistance to IMO Member States since 1998.
2. The package was launched today, 25 April 2018, by Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Singapore’s Co-ordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, in the presence of Mr Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the IMO, at the 2nd Maritime Administrators’ Forum, which is part of the week-long of activities organised by the MPA Academy during Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2018. The package supports the IMO’s Strategic Plan for 2018-2023, as well as the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) and IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS)2 initiatives.
3. Mr Lim is visiting Singapore from 25 to 28 April 2018 under the Singapore Ministry of Transport (MOT)’s Distinguished Visitors’ Programme, in conjunction with SMW 2018. During his visit, Mr Lim will meet with Minister Khaw and Dr Lam Pin Min, Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health, as well as senior officials from MOT and MPA. Mr Lim will also be speaking at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Conference entitled “Green Shipping. Blue Business. Moving Forward Together.”, jointly organised by MPA; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway; the Federal Foreign Office of Germany; and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.
4. Minister Khaw said, “To mark the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the IMO Convention and the 20th anniversary of the Singapore-IMO Memorandum of Understanding on a TCTP this year, we are launching an enhanced technical co-operation and training package for the IMO and its Member States. This enhanced package reaffirms our commitment to support the development of the international maritime community. Singapore hopes this will provide an added boost to support the IMO’s work.”
5. Mr Lim said, “Since the inception of the IMO-Singapore Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) in 1998, many Member States have benefited substantially from this programme. Today, I welcome Singapore’s announcement regarding the enhancement of its technical co-operation and training package to IMO, including increased support to the World Maritime University (WMU). I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of Singapore for its continued support to IMO’s technical cooperation programme and encourage other IMO Member States to enhance further their contribution”.
1. The Memorandum of Understanding Between Singapore and the IMO Concerning a Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) was signed in 1998 for Singapore and the IMO to jointly provide technical assistance to equip developing IMO Member States with the capabilities and expertise to implement the regulations and standards of the IMO.
2. The Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) and IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) are intended to provide audited Member States with a comprehensive and objective assessment of how effectively they administer and implement IMO instruments, and assist Member States to improve their capabilities and overall performance in complying with the requirements.