Asian and Pacific Correctional Administrators Conference Opens to Enhance Regional Cooperation and Development

CSD hosts 42nd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators

​The 42nd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators (APCCA), hosted by the Correctional Services Department (CSD), opened today (November 18). About 140 correctional chiefs and representatives from 29 Asia-Pacific countries and regions, as well as representatives of relevant professional organisations, are attending the Conference to exchange views on correctional services and consolidate and foster regional co-operation.

The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; and the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Wong Kwok-hing, officiated at the opening ceremony of the Conference.

In his opening speech, Mr Cheuk said that the theme of this year's APCCA is "Collaboration for Sustainable and High-quality Development", which highlights the determination of correctional officers from various places to advance and deepen regional co-operation, with a view to achieving high-quality development in the field of correction. He noted that the CSD has achieved remarkable results in the application of innovation and technology in the development of Smart Prison and the implementation of diversified rehabilitation programmes. During the Conference, the CSD will share its experiences and exchange views with counterparts from various places to promote and strengthen regional collaboration, thereby jointly enhancing the effectiveness of correctional work.

Mr Wong said in the ceremony that the CSD is honoured to host the Conference. He added that collaboration is a key element in the development of sustainable and high-quality development. The Conference provides an important platform for correctional practitioners from different places to exchange views and share valuable experiences, and to enhance co-operation among members, thereby injecting new impetus into sustainable and high-quality correctional work.

The agenda of the Conference, lasting from today to Thursday (November 21), will cover five specialised areas, namely "Challenges and initiatives in corrections", "Training, fostering and developing staff: Ensuring a professional, accountable and supportive culture", "Technology as an aid to reducing prison violence, and to managing and rehabilitating offenders in prison and the community", "Working with families and communities to improve rehabilitation and reintegration", and "How to design, construct and operate prisons in a more environmentally friendly way". During the Conference, participants will visit correctional institutions in Hong Kong to gain a better understanding of the unique advantages and the latest developments of Hong Kong's correctional system, including the development of Smart Prison projects and diversified rehabilitation programmes.

The APCCA is an annual conference that provides a platform for organisations and representatives engaged in correctional and prison work in the Asia-Pacific region to foster professional exchanges and co-operation on correctional services. Currently, members cover 25 countries with a total of 34 jurisdictions involved.

The CSD is one of the founding members of the APCCA and serves as the Joint Secretariat and Fund Administrator. The CSD has been promoting the development of the platform and exchanges among members, playing the role of an international link. The CSD hosted the first, 13th and 23rd APCCA in 1980, 1993 and 2003 respectively, and this is the fourth time it has served as host of the Conference.

CSD hosts 42nd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSD hosts 42nd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSD hosts 42nd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSD hosts 42nd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSD hosts 42nd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024 holds opening ceremony today

The annual highlight of the Hong Kong maritime and port industry, Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024 (HKMW 2024), held its grand opening ceremony today (November 18). Riding on the theme "Navigating to a Greener Future" and featuring the tagline "Propel Hong Kong", HKMW 2024 is showcasing the strong commitment of Hong Kong's maritime industry in sailing towards sustainable shipping and consolidating Hong Kong's status as an international maritime centre.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said, "Sustainability - transforming Hong Kong into a green maritime centre - is at the heart of our policy priorities." He also mentioned that the Government had just promulgated the Action Plan on Green Maritime Fuel Bunkering, which includes the development of essential infrastructure, encourages ports to reduce carbon emissions as well as provides incentives for using green maritime fuels. In order to underpin the aspiration of transforming Hong Kong into a green maritime fuel bunkering centre, the Action Plan also underscores collaboration with ports in the Greater Bay Area, as well as collaboration with other ports in the development of a green shipping corridor.

The Chairman of the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board (HKMPB) and the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, followed with a speech. He said, "The global maritime sector is undergoing profound transformation in recent years, driven by digitalisation, decarbonisation, geopolitical and trade dynamics. The global maritime community is responding flexibly and effectively to the forces of change." He added that enhancing Hong Kong's role as a maritime "super-connector" has always been the Government's priority, and this is one of the purposes of HKMW. The programme of HKMW this year has seen even stronger connections with the international community, with the International Chamber of Shipping staging a two-day Global Maritime Trade Summit for the first time in Hong Kong. Government officials from around the world are expected to gather in Hong Kong to conduct dialogues on issues affecting the international maritime community.

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr Arsenio Antonio Domínguez Velasco, emphasised in his recorded speech that the maritime sector is navigating to a greener future. He highlighted that maritime decarbonisation requires a collective effort, and must be inclusive and support developing countries. The transition to decarbonisation should facilitate technology trials to advance maritime decarbonisation, while the use of digital tools should also be supported to optimise operations, reduce fuel consumption, and monitor emissions in real time.

The opening ceremony was followed by the World Maritime Merchants Forum (WMMF) 2024 Main Forum which is one of the anchor events under HKMW 2024. With the theme "Navigating the Cycles", this forum aims to focus on the new opportunities and challenges faced by the maritime industry amid the changes in the global economy and trade and transportation.

The Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC) 2024, another anchor event under HKMW 2024, also commenced on the same day. With a thematic focus on "Shaping the Future of Supply Chains: Resilience and Sustainability", this two-day conference brings together stakeholders along the supply chain, including aviation, maritime and logistics service providers and shippers from around the world, to exchange market intelligence and explore global business opportunities.

Apart from the WMMF and ALMAC, the Hong Kong Global Maritime Trade Summit for industry leaders and policymakers worldwide concluded this morning. Participants engaged in discussions on global trade and shipping issues, and exploring innovative solutions to address the most pressing challenges facing the maritime industry. The IMO will also host a forum on November 22 titled From Waste to Wealth: Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Ship Recycling, focusing on the sustainable recycling of ships and related prospects.

In addition, the world’s first intelligent research and training dual-purpose ship, Xin Hong Zhuan, will also make a debut visit to Hong Kong. Due to an overwhelming response to the Xin Hong Zhuan vessel tour, the registration quota is full. A video clip will later be published on the Facebook pages of the Transport and Logistics Bureau(TLB) and the HKMPB so that members of the public will have a better understanding of the developments of intelligent shipping and the nurturing of maritime talent.

HKMW 2024 runs for seven days. Over 50 industry and public events will be hosted by more than 80 local, Mainland and international marine organisations, attracting the participation of about 14,500 industry professionals from around the world. Entering its eighth edition this year, HKMW is organised by the HKMPB and co-organised by the Hong Kong Shipowners Association and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, and continues to receive support from partners such as the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Invest Hong Kong. For more details of HKMW 2024, please visit www.hkmw.hk.

With a view to stepping up publicity on HKMW 2024 and promoting Hong Kong's maritime industry, the TLB and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) have jointly produced a TV mini-drama series, "Maritime Mission", which will be aired for five consecutive days from today onward on the following TVB channels and time slots (broadcast times are subject to the latest announcements of the TV station):

81 Jade - 9am, 12.50pm and 2.30pm;

82 TVB Plus - 2.15pm, 4.20pm and 7pm (November 18, 19, 21 and 22) and 6.25pm (November 20); and

83 TVB News Channel - 12.40pm, 4.45pm and 10pm.

Programme replays are also available at the Facebook pages of the TLB and the HKMPB.