The APSN Forum on Innovative Ports for a Low-Carbon and Digital Future (APSN Forum 2023) and the 15th Meeting of APSN Council (15th Council Meeting) were successfully held in Bangkok, Thailand on 24-25 October 2023 and online. The APSN Forum 2023 & the 15th Council Meeting were co-hosted by APSN and the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT). The APSN Forum focused on the innovative development of the ports this year. The participants discussed the topic of the international green policies and sustainability measures for a low-carbon future, digital transformation in the maritime industry, and opportunities and challenges for future port development.
The Forum consisted of the Opening Session, 15th Anniversary Celebration of APSN, GPAS Award Ceremony, Keynote Session 1&2, Panel Discussion, two Interactive Sessions.
The forum invited senior officials from Asia-Pacific port authorities, executives of port and shipping company, senior officials and experts from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Bank (WB) and other relevant international organizations to deliver speeches.
About 150 participants from 16 APEC Member Economies attended the APSN Forum 2023, including Canada; China; Chinese Taipei; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Perú; the Philippines; Singapore; Thailand; the Republic of Korea; the United States and Vietnam. Representatives from international organizations such as IMO, UN ESCAP, IAPH, ICS, WTO and the WB were also presented at the APSN Forum 2023.
Ms. Songya Read, President of the APSN Council (Director General, Marine Policy, Transport Canada), delivered an opening remarks and Mr. Kriengkrai Chaisiriwongsuk, Director General of Port Authority of Thailand delivered the welcome remarks in the Opening Session.
In the 15th Anniversary Celebration of APSN, Mr. Tan Cheng Peng, First Vice President at The APSN Council (Executive Director of the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) ) presented APSN Work Report from 2018 to 2023.
Mr. Marc-Yves Bertin (Former President at The APSN Council), Mr. Fei Weijun (Senior Consultant and Former Secretary-General at APSN), and Mr. Jia Dashan (Former Secretary-General at APSN) delivered the video congratulatory messages in succession.
Mr. Tan Cheng Peng moderated the Keynote Session 1 on International Green Policies and Sustainable Development Measures for a Low-Carbon Future, with speakers including:
Among the speakers in the Keynote Session 1 were (in program order):
Ø Moderator: Mr. Tan Cheng Peng, First Vice President of the APSN Council
Ø Mr. Kitack Lim (Video Speech)
Secretary-General, International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Ø Mr. Ren Weimin
Director, Transport Division, The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
Ø Capt. K. Subramaniam
President, International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH)
Ø Lt. JG. Yutana Mokekhaow, R.T.N.
Deputy Director General (Financial Management and Corporate Strategy),
Port Authority of Thailand
Ø Mr. Nelson Mojarro
Head of Innovation and Partnerships, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)
Mr. Jiravich Klomperee, Director, Corporate Strategy Department, Port Authority of Thailand, moderated Keynote Session 2 on the topic of Innovation and Digital Transformation in the Maritime Industry, with speakers including:
Among the speakers in the Keynote Session II were (in program order):
Ø Moderator: Mr. Jiravich Klomperee,
Director, Corporate Strategy Department/APSN Council Member of Thailand
Ø Lt. JG. Yutana Mokekhaow, R.T.N.
Deputy Director General (Financial Management and Corporate Strategy), Port Authority of Thailand
Ø Mr. Li Yubin
Vice President, China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd.
Ø Ms. Jessie CHUNG
Chairman, Hong Kong Container Terminal Operators Association Limited
Ø Dr. Ga-hyun Kim
Senior Researcher, Ph.D. Korea Maritime Institute
Mr. Francois Marier, Director, International Marine Policy, Transport Canada, moderated the Session 3 Panel Discussion. This session featured a panel of experts who provided insights into the challenges and opportunities for ports of the future to achieve low-carbon and digital development. Speakers for the session included:
Among the speakers in the Panel Discussion were (in program order):
Ø Facilitator: Mr. Francois Marier
Director, International Marine Policy, Transport Canada
Ø Mr. Bui Van Quy
President of ASEAN Port Association (APA)
Ø Mr. Stephen Ashworth
Managing Director – South East Asia & Thailand, Hutchison Ports
Ø Mr. Lu Cheng
Director, APEC Port Study Center, APSN
Capt. Mohamad Halim Ahmed, Second Vice President of the APSN Council facilitated Session 4: Interactive Session (Group Discussion). Participants in the session discussed topics on the green and digital development of ports in the Asia-Pacific region. Last, Ms. Sonya Read delivered the closing remarks and declared the end of the Forum.
