BRUNEI, Wednesday, 1 May 2019 – The signing of the minutes for the 28th Western Pacific Naval
Symposium (WPNS) Workshop 2019 was held today at the Rizqun International Hotel, Gadong, Brunei
Darussalam. The 28th WPNS Workshop 2019 began on Tuesday, 30th April 2019 and ends today.
The signing of the minutes marks the end of the workshop and was signed by Captain Norshahrinizam
bin Haji Talib, RBN, the Chairman of the WPNS Workshop 2019 and Commander Azrin bin Haji
Mahmud, Chief Secretariat WPNS Workshop 2019.
In his closing remarks, the Chairman highlighted the common responsibility of WPNS member nations
have in playing “a key role for maritime peace and security … in the future cooperation among navies.
The continued success of WPNS depends on inclusive dialogue and discussions aimed at building
confidence and addressing maritime issues of interest”.
The workshop focused on the various existing initiatives such as the 2nd WPNS Junior Officer Interaction
Programme 2019, the development of the Information Fusion Centre in Peru, the Exchange Initiatives for
Next Generations (EING) 2018, Short Term Exchange Program (STEP) 2018 and Ship Rider program 2018
hosted by the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), among others. The workshop also focused on
further enhancing multi-lateral engagements such as the International Maritime Defense Exhibition
(IMDEX) Asia 2019, WPNS Diving Exercise (DIVEX) 2020, 4th Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo
(MNEK) 2020. The workshop also entailed a presentation on the benefits and use of the All Partners Access
Network (APAN) web portal, in leveraging information sharing and facilitating discussions extending
beyond the WPNS workshops and symposiums.
The signing of minutes ended with the handing over of the Workshop Chairmanship to the Philippine
Navy. The Philippine Navy will host the 29th WPNS Workshop 2020, 17th WPNS Symposium 2020 and
International Fleet Review in 2020. Colonel Bayani Curaming, a representative from the Philippine Navy
gave a brief remarks highlighting the overview of the events, key message and the sequences of events.
