'AMAN-19 signifies resolve for global peace'

President says Pakistan wishes to work with all regional countries to attain common goals

President Dr Arif Alvi has said the Pakistan Navy's collaborative maritime security engagements with its regional and extra-regional counterparts in the form of "AMAN-19" signify the country's resolve and commitment towards global peace and prosperity.

Addressing the opening session of three-day International Maritime Conference organised on the theme of "Global Geopolitics in Transition: Rethinking Maritime Dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region" under the auspices of National Institute of Maritime Affairs on Saturday, the president also underscored the importance of blue economy and effective use of ocean resources as key to Pakistan's future.

“The Indian Ocean acts as a strategic gateway for food, maritime transportation and energy supplies to the world and the presence of major powers in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) signified its importance under a complex security environment,” said the president who was the chief guest on the occasion.

Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi was also present on the occasion. The conference is being held in tandem with biennial Multinational Maritime Exercise - AMAN 2019.

While appreciating the role of Pakistan Navy, the president said collaborative maritime security engagements with regional and extra-regional navies in the form of "AMAN-19" signify Pakistan's resolve and commitment towards global peace and prosperity.

“Pakistan as an important regional player wishes to work in harmony and collaboration with all regional countries for the common objectives of peace, stability and economic prosperity for the people of the region,” he said.

Admiral Abbasi in his opening remarks welcomed all guests and participants and highlighted the significant role being played by Pakistan Navy in the sustenance of peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region.

He added that Pakistan has always been an ardent supporter of maritime cooperation, and being the pioneer partner of Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) task forces CTF150 and CTF 151, it has been the largest regional contributor to these constructs in terms of men and material.

He further highlighted that the 6^thAMAN Exercise is an embodiment of Pakistan's commitment toward global peace and harmony where the naval forces from across the continent are brought on a single platform to enhance combating capabilities in the wake of traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

In his welcome address, National Institute of Maritime Affairs Director General Vice Admiral (retd) Syed Khawar Ali Shah presented a brief resume including the objectives of the conference.

In addition, David N Griffiths, Research Fellow of the Centre for the Study of Security and Development at Dalhouse University Canada, presented Keynote address on “Security Myths and Paradigm Traps: Strategic Thinking for the 21^st Century”.

The inaugural session was followed by two academic sessions in which various international and national scholars along with academia from Canada, China, Russian, Iran, the Maldives and Sri Lanka presented their papers.