This visit fostered a deeper understanding of MPA’s work, and how Singapore manages maritime traffic through one of the busiest straits in the world, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and in its port waters.

It examines how the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – the United Nations specialized agency responsible for safe, secure and efficient shipping and the prevention of ship-source pollution – attempts to regulate shipping emissions, and why it is important to examine the implications of alternative fuels development to climate change and reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping.

Participants discussed the mapping of regional biogeography in the Indian Ocean, as well as explored ways forward for IORA member states regarding the implementation of area-based management tools in the BBNJ Agreement.

As a member of the Committee nominated by the ILA Singapore Branch, Dita will contribute to the Committee’s work for the next 4 (four) years, focusing on the jurisdiction of states for the purpose of protecting people at sea.

This expert working group meeting invited participants from academia, government and industries to set the stage for the next steps towards the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-4), and to discuss the establishment of a working group on extended producer responsibility (EPR) to enhance waste management in ASEAN member states.

The panel discussed various legal issues in Southeast Asia and lessons/best practices on regional maritime cooperation.

She presented her draft article about informal lawmaking in ASEAN. Professor Natalie Klein from UNSW served as a commentator for her article.

The event focused on the theme “Threats from the Global Commons.” She shared her forthcoming article about “Threats to Commercial Shipping During International Armed Conflicts.”

This workshop invited contributors to the APEC OFWG White Paper on Microplastics in Coastal Aquaculture Systems: Development of Regulatory Frameworks, Practices and Mitigation Efforts in APEC Economies to further discuss a mitigation/prevention plan for microplastics in the coastal aquaculture input chain in APEC economies.

Dr. Nilufer Oral was a member of the panellists at the informal plenary meeting.