At the close of the 3rd Ministerial Conference on Maritime Safety and Security in the Western Indian Ocean, Maneesh Gobin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, held a press conference to underline the importance of this meeting in meeting the challenges ahead and for the ‘Adoption of Ministerial Declaration’.
Joined by the Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Commission, Prof. Velaydom Marimoutou, the representative of the United Nations Office, Zainab Hwa Bangura, and representatives of a number of African countries, the Minister began by pointing out that a total of 150 participants, including ministers and representatives of several countries, had taken part in the conference, which had proved to be a success.
Maneesh Gobin went on to say that after intense deliberations, the ministers present recognized the achievements of the last two conferences held in 2018 and 2019. In addition, he stressed the importance of the operation and cooperation of the regional centers, particularly with regard to drug seizures, maritime crime, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, human trafficking and illicit activities.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs also focused his speech on the holding of a conference on drug trafficking and abuse, work on maritime activities and the fight against piracy, marine pollution and heavy shipping, among others.
The ministers also decided that Kenya would host the Africa Coast Guard Forum.
Maneesh Gobin also indicated that the ministers had decided to support several ongoing initiatives.
