Syllabus: GS-2/Regional and Global Groupings
In News
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) participated in the 19th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) in Istanbul, Turkey.
- The 18th HACGAM was held in New Delhi in 2022.
About
- Nations discussed several issues like maritime law enforcement, safety and security of life at sea, marine environment protection, illicit trafficking of drugs, weapons, and humans at sea etc.
Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM)
- It is an apex level forum, formed in 2004 to facilitate the gathering of all the major Coast Guard Agencies in the Asian region.
- Its motto is ‘Safe, Secure and Clean Seas’.
- Aim: To foster cooperation between the Coast Guards of the member Asian states to ensure and promote safe, secure, and clean seas in the region.
- It comprises of 23 Member countries and 2 associate members i.e. Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
- The Japan Coast Guard provides the Secretariat for the HACGAM and coordinates the administration and follow up of the related activities.
| Indian Coast Guard – The Indian Coast Guard is a maritime law enforcement and search and rescue agency of India with jurisdiction over its territorial waters including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone. – Established in 1977 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of the Parliament of India. – Parent Agency: Ministry of Defence – Headquarters: New Delhi – Head: Director General Indian Coast Guard (DGICG)Â Missions of Indian Coast Guard – Safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore terminals and other installations. – Protection and assistance to fishermen and mariners at sea. – Preservation and protection of marine ecology and environment including pollution control. – Assistance to the Department of Customs and other authorities in anti-smuggling operations. |
Source: PIB
