The focus of the two-day workshop (September 25-26) is on issues related to the Code for Unalerted Encounters at Sea (CUES), humanitarian aid, anti-terrorism, military health care,  activities to cope with natural disasters and the approval for Peru to become a full WPNS member.

In his opening speech, Malaysian Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi highlighted the workshop as a mechanism for promoting relationship, consolidating trust between naval forces, sharing information about maritime issues of common concern and launching initiatives for maritime cooperation and security in the region.

Over the past 21 years since its establishment, Zahid Hamidi said the WPNS has become an important forum for naval dialogues and maritime activities which have positively contributed to consolidating trust and developing the ties of friendship and cooperation between member countries.

He called for coordinated efforts and closer cooperation between navies to ensure regional peace, security and stability.