Interportpolice in Somalia Supporting Red Sea Maritime Security Workshop.

Interportpolice's Efforts

In recent years, maritime security has become a pressing concern for nations and international organizations. One such organization that has been proactive in this arena is Interportpolice. Their dedication to improving security protocols is evident through their support of various initiatives, including workshops in Somalia focusing on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) maritime security and the Red Sea Programme.

IMO Maritime Security Initiatives

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has laid out comprehensive guidelines and standards to ensure the safety and security of maritime operations globally. These standards are pivotal in protecting commercial shipping routes from piracy, smuggling, and other threats. By supporting IMO’s maritime security initiatives in Somalia, Interportpolice helps build local capacity to tackle these challenges effectively.

The Red Sea Programme

The Red Sea Programme is an extensive initiative to enhance maritime security in the strategically significant Red Sea region. This program addresses a myriad of issues, including naval patrols, surveillance, and intelligence-sharing among the bordering nations. Interportpolice's support for this programme underscores their commitment to fostering regional cooperation and establishing robust security frameworks.

Deputy Secretary Chris Trelawny IPM was a member of the delegation supporting the programme's workshop. The European Union funds the Red Sea Programme, and is being delivered by IMO, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Hereby, IMO aims to assist participating countries in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, to enhance maritime security and safety in the Red Sea Area, in line with the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy.

Capacity Building Through Workshops

Workshops play a crucial role in bolstering local capacities. These training sessions, supported by Interportpolice, focus on various aspects of maritime security such as risk assessment, emergency response, and the use of advanced surveillance technologies. Through these workshops, Somali authorities and personnel are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively safeguard their maritime domains.

The workshop aimed to improve maritime security decision-making, policy development and implementation in Somalia, through the development a structure and terms of reference for a national maritime security committee (NMSC) and its sub-committees. Focus areas included the draft Djibouti Code of Conduct regional maritime security strategy (maritime security is an enabler for a sustainable blue economy), IMO guidance on NMSCs and national maritime facilitation committees, and the international legal framework.

The event in Mogadishu brought together 20 participants from different Somali government departments and agencies with a role in maritime security, and observers from international development partners.

The event was opened by the Deputy Minister of Ports and Marine Transport of Somalia, H.E. Sadaam Mohamud Abdi. The opening ceremony benefited from the participation of the European Union Delegation to Somalia, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), the World Food Programme (WFP), the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP), and the European Union Naval Force ATALANTA (EU NAVFOR), all keen to support IMO efforts to enhance the safety and security of navigation in the region.