IMO informed that the first steering committee of a program to support safe navigation and security in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans took place from 19-20 January.
The meeting provided participants with assistance to strengthen their strategic directions. The steering committee agreed on monitoring tools to assess the overall performance of the program including the financial side, communications and reporting methods.
The event also looked at a range of issues including port security legislation, data exchange system on cargo and passengers and response capacities of law enforcement agencies in the region.
Keeping key maritime trade routes safe is critical to ensuring economic development and prosperity of the Global South.
said IMO.
The Program on Port Security and Safety of Navigation in the Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region is sponsored by the European Union, under the overall strategic direction of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC). The project is being implemented by IMO, jointly with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Officials from nine beneficiary countries attended the meeting, along with representatives from international organizations and the implementing partners: IMO, INTERPOL and UNODC.