14-15 December 2015, Djibouti- The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Security Sector Program (SSP) organized a two days workshop to validate the IGAD Regional Integrated Maritime Strategy.
In spite of being part of various internationally agreed maritime security mechanisms and frameworks oriented toward the collective management of maritime safety and security of oceans and seas around the globe, IGAD’s member states do not possess a common maritime policy of their own that can be used to ascertain their core priorities and interests. The proposed regional policy framework is in line with the Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy “AIMS” adopted in December 2012 at Addis-Ababa by the Second Conference of African ministers responsible for maritime-related affairs.
Officials from IGAD member States institutions such as Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maritime Authority, Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport, Ministry of Fishery, Navy, Army, Security, Judiciary, and Ministry of Justice were in attendance.
The proposed regional policy framework on the IGAD Regional Maritime Domain is intended to be a step forward in the institutionalization of the region’s maritime-related initiatives, projects and programs that should be dealt with among member states in a collective and cooperative way.
The delegates went through the strategy documents in detail and made substantive recommendations on their workshop declaration. Accordingly, the Strategy was validated noting the following specific forward actions:
- Establish the IGAD Maritime Council
- Establish an economic instrument that will encourage Public Private partnerships/Global
- Activate the IGAD Maritime Training Manual
- Cooperate for the provision of Infrastructure for permanent facilities for ISPS training and STCW training.
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