1ST PLENARY OF THE CONTACT GROUP ON ILLICIT MARITIME ACTIVITIES
We were privileged to host the 1st Plenary of the Contact Group on Illicit Maritime Activities (CGIMA) chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Hon Aden Bare Duale EGH.
The dialogue focused on specific areas for collaboration and put forward proposals for capacity building, where needed. It encompassed climate change and its connection to maritime crimes, aiming to pinpoint key areas for intervention.
In his speech, Hon Aden Duale reiterated Kenya’s commitment to the global community by ensuring maritime safety and security through active dialogue, interventions, regional capacity building, and possible areas of coordination of operations.
As an institution hosting this event amplified our commitment to issues of maritime security and Maritime Domain Awareness in general. This is evidenced by the courses that we conduct on Maritime Security and Blue Economy. The courses are conducted in three tiers namely: Introduction, Integrated and Strategic levels.
Key participants in today’s meeting were the USA, the Shipping industry represented by BIMCO/OCIMF, UNODC, COMESA, International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Maritime Organization (IMO), EUNAVFOR, and CMF. Also present were countries that include India, Seychelles, Madagascar, the Federal Republic of Somalia, and other maritime experts.
