At the Seventh High-Level Meeting on the Implementation of the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC) and its Jeddah Amendment, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (28–30 November), signatory states reiterated their commitment to addressing maritime security challenges in the region. These challenges include piracy, armed robbery against ships, and other illicit activities in the western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
Key Outcomes and Initiatives
- Working Group on Operational Cooperation
- A new Working Group on Operational Cooperation and Coordination at Sea will be established.
- The group will adopt a whole-of-government approach, combining civilian and military resources for enhanced efficiency and reduced costs.
- Enhanced Naval and Law Enforcement Collaboration
- Close cooperation between naval forces, law enforcement agencies, and civilian authorities was emphasized.
- Collaboration will extend across national, regional, and international levels, adhering to national laws and international frameworks.
- Vessels of Interest (VOI) Database
- A shared, regionally owned VOI database will be developed to track and counter illicit maritime activities.
- Information Sharing and Coordination
- Expedited operationalization of the Regional Information Sharing Network (ISN) was prioritized to improve threat awareness and response capabilities.
Collaborative Efforts and Support
- Participating Entities: The meeting was attended by representatives from 17 DCoC countries and numerous international organizations, including INTERPOL, the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR), UNODC, and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
- Capacity Building: The Friends of the DCoC discussed enhancing the DCoC Capacity Building Matrix to better align assistance programs with regional needs.
Key Messages
- Call for Cooperation
- IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez emphasized the importance of cooperation and the need to demonstrate tangible results to secure ongoing support.
- Regional Challenges
- Participants highlighted growing maritime threats in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and western Indian Ocean and stressed the need for regional solutions.
- Capacity and Capability Development
- Efforts will focus on information sharing, capability enhancement, and improved operational coordination to strengthen maritime security in the region.
By reinforcing collective efforts and leveraging international partnerships, the meeting reaffirmed the region’s commitment to safeguarding maritime security and enhancing sustainable development in these crucial waters.
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Source: IMO
