Indo-Pacific Nations Enhance Trade Security through Cargo Risk Assessment Workshop

Representatives from six Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) partner countries – India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Fiji, the Philippines, and Thailand – convened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a three-day Cargo Risk Assessment Capacity Building Workshop (June 4-6, 2024) that aimed to strengthen their capabilities to secure the global supply chain. Fulfilling a key deliverable under IPEF’s Supply Chain pillar, the workshop focused on achieving a balance between effective port security and minimizing disruptions to legitimate trade. The workshop was organized as a component of The Smart and Secure Ports Project, implemented by CRDF Global and supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs – Economic Policy. The aim of the project is, through workshops like these, to bolster the capabilities of Indo-Pacific nations in maintaining secure and efficient port operations leading to sustainable economic development and international trade.

Building Capacity for Secure and Efficient Trade

In his welcome remarks at a networking dinner, Manu Bhalla, Charge d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, emphasized the program’s core objective: “When we launched this program in 2022, our focus was very clear. We aimed to establish strong infrastructure norms, ensure robust cybersecurity, and work with port operators and policymakers to secure critical regional infrastructure. This workshop builds on those efforts by facilitating secure trade flows while not impeding legitimate trade.”

The workshop itself featured a mix of lectures, breakout sessions, and interactive activities, including a Kahoot! quiz to solidify learnings. Country presentations allowed participants to share their unique approaches to trade control and compliance with international regulations.

Opening remarks from Taelor Logan, Indo-Pacific Program Manager, highlighted the workshop’s significance within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. “The Cargo Risk Assessment workshop was envisioned by the negotiators of the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement. The workshop is designed to enhance the capacities of partner countries to develop effective security practices with regard to port operations,” affirmed Logan.

Key Takeaways and Continued Collaboration

The workshop, spearheaded by Adam Bacheller of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and Non-Proliferation and Counter-Terrorism Expert Jerry Davydov, delved into strategic trade controls and their role in preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), aligning with UN Security Council Resolution 1540.

Participants gained a deeper understanding of these controls through sessions on identifying fraud patterns, risk indicators in cargo shipments, and real-life examples of UN Sanctions and Embargoes.

A practical bill of lading exercise allowed participants to apply their learnings.

“Our operations aim to support sustainable economic development,” remarked Jerry Davydov during discussions. “The workshop focused on how to execute security operations with minimal interference to economic development, particularly trade.”

Echoing this sentiment, Adam Bacheller emphasized the importance of facilitating legitimate trade. “The better we facilitate legitimate trade, the more our countries thrive economically,” he noted.

The workshop successfully laid the groundwork for enhanced collaboration and knowledge sharing among Indo-Pacific nations, reinforcing their commitment to international conventions and strategic trade controls. Participants left with a deeper understanding of cargo risk assessment and the importance of balancing security with economic development.

About the Smart and Secure Ports Project

Under The Smart and Secure Ports Project, CRDF Global has implemented a continuous series of events designed to build partner capacity in cybersecurity, upholding global infrastructure norms, and ensuring the security of foreign direct investment. “As both the opportunities and threats in our region evolve, CRDF Global is honored to support this program which will have a critical impact in the security of our region’s trade, economic development, and long-term security,” said Mike Byfield, who leads CRDF Global’s SEA (Southeast Asia) Hub Regional Director.