The 8th Symposium of the Heads of Navies and Coastguards in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) concluded on November 28, 2024, in Abuja, highlighting a renewed commitment to enhance maritime security and sustainable development in the region. Hosted by the Nigerian Navy in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the French Navy, the symposium gathered approximately 200 participants, including senior naval officials, regional entities, and international partners.
Under the theme “Maritime Security and Sustainable Development in the Gulf of Guinea,” the two-day conference addressed pressing challenges affecting maritime safety in the region, such as piracy, illicit trafficking, and resource exploitation. The discussions centered on three primary strategic areas: Regional and International Cooperation, Maritime Domain Awareness and Information Sharing, and Legal and Regulatory Frameworks.
A central focus of the symposium was the operationalization of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, which aims to enhance governance and security in the Gulf of Guinea’s maritime domain. This framework facilitates cooperation and coordination among regional states and was a pivotal aspect of the discussions.
The EU-funded EnMAR project provided essential support for the event, which included participation from heads of navies and coastguards across Gulf of Guinea nations, representatives from ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), the Gulf of Guinea Commission, and officials from European and U.S. navies. EU Ambassador Gautier Mignot played a key role during the session on Regional and International Cooperation, expressing the EU’s commitment to tackling maritime threats through a collaborative, integrated approach. He emphasized that addressing maritime security issues in the Gulf of Guinea is not just a regional but a global concern.
The symposium concluded with the adoption of a final communiqué featuring 14 resolutions aimed at enhancing maritime security governance, improving information sharing, and fostering regional cooperation under the Yaoundé Code of Conduct. One significant resolution focused on strengthening the governance structure of the Yaoundé Architecture, ensuring effective responses to maritime threats. Furthermore, the resolutions highlighted the necessity of robust legal and regulatory frameworks to combat piracy and other maritime crimes effectively.
Looking ahead, the next Gulf of Guinea Symposium is set to take place in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2025, as regional stakeholders seek to build on the progress made in Abuja. This ongoing dialogue and collaboration among nations is essential for addressing the myriad challenges facing maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, fostering a safer and more sustainable maritime environment.
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