Enhancing maritime security is a crucial catalyst for the sustainable development of the maritime sector. It supports government efforts to generate revenue, create employment opportunities, and ensure stability, all of which are of paramount importance to the beneficiary states of the Regional Programme on Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area. This capacity-building programme focuses on countering piracy, armed robbery against ships, and other illicit maritime activities in the Red Sea area.
Efforts to safeguard the Red Sea area from strategic threats such as maritime terrorism, illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, the trafficking of drugs, weapons and people, and the illegal wildlife trade is a high priority. Of growing concern are emerging threats such as cyber security, aerial drones, boat-borne improvised explosive devices, and attacks on ships using limpet mines. If left unchecked, these activities could undermine the value of the maritime sector and the blue economy in the countries of the region.
Twenty-five participants, representing relevant ministries and agencies from the Federal Republic of Somalia attended a three-day workshop in Mogadishu (10-12 September) to discuss the importance of multi-agency collaboration, active participation, and engagement of all stakeholders for the effective application of maritime security measures.
Topics covered include how to establish a National Maritime Security Committee structure in line with the requirements of the Jeddah Amendment to which Somalia is party; how to develop a National Maritime Security Risk Register (NMSRR) using the IMO Risk Assessment methodology; and an explanation of the process to develop the country's National Maritime Security Strategy (NMSS), with the support of IMO.
Workshop participants were from the Office of the Attorney General; the Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport; the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy; the Somali Maritime Research Center; Puntland Maritime Police Force; the Puntland Ministry of Marine Transport, Ports and Crime Prevention; and Bosaso Port Administration (BPA).
The Red Sea Programme is funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by IMO, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Under this initiative, IMO aims to assist participating countries in enhancing maritime security and safety in the Red Sea Area, aligning with the 2050 Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy.
