Upon the invitation and sponsorship of EU Crimario, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) participated in the discussions of the 3rd SHARE.IT Interoperability Framework Conference held at the United Nations facility in Bangkok, Thailand, from 20 to 24 November 2023.
In collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and various Information Fusion Centers (IFC) around the world, the SHARE.IT project is aimed at the common effort of maritime information sharing using digital connectivity.
Mr. Sérgio Bryton, CRIMARIO II – Interoperability, Innovation, and Cybersecurity, SHARE.IT Manager, emphasized the importance of effective and efficient maritime security and surveillance worldwide, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, by having a common technology that fits all. Mr. Shanaka Jayasekara, Regional Programme Coordinator on Maritime Crime – Southeast Asia and the Pacific under UNODC, shared insights about SHARE.IT fostering interconnectedness and interoperability between existing systems to enhance maritime situational awareness.
Likewise, Commodore Jay Tarela, Adviser to the Commandant on Maritime Security Affairs and Spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea of the Philippine Coast Guard, supports the EU-CRIMARIO SHARE.IT project, emphasizing the challenges within the Indo-Pacific region. PCG Commodore Tarela stressed in his online speech the importance of upholding international laws for peace, stability, and fairness among countries’ maritime jurisdictions. The five-day conference concluded successfully with plans to reconvene in May 2024 and hold intercessional meetings online in between.
MARINA was represented in the technical working group on policy, technical, and operations by Director Ronaldo Bandalaria, Division Chief Joseph Victor Generato, and Maritime Industry Specialist Joel Reolizo, respectively.