Posing for a group photo with participants in the 2nd Coast Guard Global Summit after a farewell reception on November 21, 2019, attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The prime minister is 10th from the left in the front row and I am on his right.  I was delighted that The Nippon Foundation co-hosted the 2nd Coast Guard Global Summit with the Japan Coast Guard at a Tokyo hotel on November 20-21. The gathering brought together representatives from 75 countries, including the United States, China and South Korea, as well as such international bodies as the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The number of delegates was double that for the first meeting held in 2017. In welcoming the delegates, I stated that coast guards around the world continue to play an important role as �gthe most reliable first responders,�h protecting our shores from outside threats, and coming to the rescue when disaster strikes.  �gAt the same time, they are protecting the entire ocean which controls the climate and conditions for sustaining life of all living beings. Without the ocean there would have been no life on Earth,�h I added. But the responsibilities of coast guards around the world have multiplied into diverse areas as there is rising incidence of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, leading to the depletion of fish stocks, while crimes such as contraband and piracy are affecting global security. �gThe action we take from this platform is important because it has global impact on not only maritime security and safety but in mitigating the crises facing our oceans,�h I told the delegates. I stressed the summit was an important opportunity to bring together and share wisdom and experiences from each country to find the most effective way for coast guards around the world to share information, act in close coordination and formulate a diverse international action plan to reduce the damage that we inflict on our oceans. During the two-day summit, the delegates agreed to start developing human resources capable of tackling global challenges facing the oceans and set up a website to allow those countries and institutions to share their expertise, experiences and information. The Nippon Foundation is �gready to offer our support to any action that may be initiated as a result of this summit.�h I told a farewell reception on November 21, which was also attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. I thanked Admiral Shuichi Iwanami, Commandant of the Japan Coast Guard, and everyone from his organization for their tireless efforts in preparing for this conference. The delegates agreed to hold the 3rd Coast Guard Global Summit in 2021.  Addressing the 2nd Coast Guard Global Summit at a Tokyo hotel on November 20, 2019. The summit brought together leaders of coast guards from 75 countries as well as such international bodies as the International Maritime Organization (IMO).