The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has commended the federal government of Nigeria for hosting the upcoming Global Maritime Security Conference, saying the talks will go a long way in addressing security concerns in the Gulf of Guinea.
Secretary-General of OPEC, Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, said that the Gulf of Guinea was strategic to the stability of oil production globally. He said the area was a major shipping route and any infraction there would be felt beyond the region.
“The strategic importance of the Gulf of Guinea is undisputed and any disruptions in the area has a direct negative impact on our industry and, indeed, is of global concern,” said Mr Barkindo. “This conference is timely in bringing together the relevant and critical stakeholders to allow them to discuss in a constructive manner what concerted action could be undertaken to ensure the sustainable use and long term security of this important and strategic body of ocean.”
The chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrations, Dr Dakuku Peterside, said that the conference would provide a platform for stakeholders to find solutions to the challenge of maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea. “We shall have a no-holds-barred discussion on security in the Gulf of Guinea at the conference, which promises to be a watershed event in the history of maritime security in Africa and, indeed, the world,” he stated.
The Global Maritime Security Conference 2019 is a high-level meeting to gain a clearer understanding of the challenges of maritime security in the region. Participants from more than 70 countries will attend the conference, held on 7 – 9 October in Ajuba.
Expected participants include government ministries and agencies, navies and coast guards, regulatory bodies, maritime lawyers and professionals, policy makers and researchers, institutions and non-governmental organisations, among others.
Source: Worldfishing. Continue reading…
