IAPH conference begins on March 8.

Global Challenges - Impact on Asia/Oceania Region to be widely discussed at the 12th IAPH Asia/Oceania, Regional Meeting and Port Forum of the IAPH to be held in Sri Lanka on March 8. This year the International Association of Ports and Harbors has selected Sri Lanka as the host country for their 12th Asia - Oceania regional forum. Themed “Global Challenges - Impact on Asia/Oceania

region it will be inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 8, 2012, at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall- BIMCH, Colombo, with the participation of more than 25 countries that include India, Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Maldives, Australia, Brunei, Fiji, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Thailand and Kuwait.

The principle objective of the IAPH is to develop and foster good relations and cooperation among all ports and harbors in the world by proving a forum to exchange opinions and share experiences on the latest trends of port management and operations. IAPH strives to emphasize and promote the fact that ports form a vital link in the water-borne transportation and play such a vital role in today's global economy.

The pioneering political leadership and vision of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa extended to completely eliminate the LTTE terrorism from Sri Lanka, won a wider recognition among the top business communities in the world to identify Sri Lanka as a much convenient venue for international trade and business under serene environs and sustainable peace.

Transporting a manufacturer's production, invested in a country, to the end market, draws the concern of the proper development of the transportation sector.

Therefore, within the process of the overall development of Sri Lanka, special focus has been drawn towards developing all sorts of sectors of transport. At present, with the Vision - ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ - of His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa who simultaneously holds the Ministerial Portfolio of Ports and Highways, Sri Lanka is geared towards becoming a fivefold hub in the spheres of maritime, aviation, commercial, knowledge and energy in the region.

The mega development projects that include Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa international Port in Hambantota, The Colombo Port Expansion Project, Mattala Airport and a number of other mega constructions throughout the country are at present, geared through an expedited process to assist, to convert Sri Lanka the Marvel of Asia.

These components in return, will equally add an invaluable patronage for conference tourism at a time the trade of tourism is becoming a booming and money spinning industry in Sri Lanka.

The two day Regional Meeting and the Port Forum March 8 and 9 hosted by Sri Lanka Ports Authority will be addressed by highly reputed and recognized personages and resource persons from around the world and meticulously chosen from those who have excelled in their respective disciplines.

The accompany persons’ programme of delegates which is included during this year's IAPH forum and organized by Sri Lanka Ports Authority to offer a first hand experience of hospitality, tranquil life styles of the peoples living in harmony as well as the current business and financial movements of the masses in the country, together with the cultural events to be held parallel to the programme at the newly built state of the art Lotus Pond theater and the ‘Galle Buck’ Colombo Lighthouse premises will be identified as vital components added to highlight the true Sri Lankan spirit and the authenticity of the nation.

IAPH will continue to play a pivotal role as a unique global forum of the port industry in strengthening cooperation and sharing experiences among the world's ports. Moreover, to effectively deal with many global issues, IAPH will also actively collaborate with other international organizations for the sustainable development of the world economy.

The number of international events being held in the island has increased after the end of the 30-year ethnic war in May 2009, during which business conditions were difficult with foreign buyers reluctant to visit suppliers. The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) founded in November 1955 today, as the global alliance of the world port community, represents some 200 ports and 140 port-related organizations of about 90 countries across the world.

The association meets every two years at its World Port Conference, the largest gathering of the world port community.