"Maritime Law in the Canadian Arctic: Overlapping Claims, Rights of Passage and Sovereignty"
by H.E. Wendell Sanford, Canada's High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam
4 March 2010
MIMA had the privilege of having H.E. Wendell Sanford, Canada's High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, speak on " Maritime Law in the Canadian Arctic: Overlapping Claims, Rights of Passage and Sovereignty". Addressing participants from the Canada High Commission and various government agencies in his welcoming speech, Dr. Pola Singh, Director General of MIMA, said Malaysia and Canada share similar maritime concerns and that Malaysia can learn from Canada's experience in managing maritime disputes. In his lecture, H.E. Sanford, introduced Canada's Northern Strategy, which is an integrated policy addressing sovereignty, environmental protection, economic and social development, and governance at the Arctic region. He also shared that from the Canadian viewpoint, the advent of warmer climate is actually a boon. H.E. Sanford added that the Arctic is an emerging region which is on the verge of major change. An important lesson to be drawn from the lecture is that disputes can be properly managed when issues are put into proper perspectives and effective communication is maintained. His advice is, "In times of change, keep a sharp eye and an even sharper mind" - Sanford.
Dr. Pola Singh welcoming particpants from the High Commission of Canada
H. E. Wendell Sanford delivering his lecture.
