The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission reviews a draft action plan for its Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS)
The ECOWAS Commission is holding an interdepartmental meeting to review the draft Action Plan of the EIMS in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, to ensure integrated and coordinated implementation.
ECOWAS Commission Sets Sail for Maritime Strategy Success
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission is charting its course towards enhancing maritime security and cooperation in the region through the review of a draft action plan for its Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS). This crucial meeting, taking place from March 20 to 22, 2024, in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, aims to ensure that the technical departments adopt the Action Plan to facilitate seamless implementation in alignment with the Commission's mission.
Under the umbrella of the EIMS, stakeholders from various ECOWAS departments, ECOWAS Regional Fisheries Centers, ECOWAS institutions and agencies, and West African Fisheries Commissions are coming together to deliberate on key priorities and actions outlined in the Action Plan. The overarching goal is to align these strategies with the Commission's 4X4 objectives at the sectoral policy level, covering critical areas such as food and nutritional security, marine biodiversity, and the blue economy.
Setting Sail with Distinguished Speakers
The opening ceremony of the meeting witnessed insightful speeches from esteemed personalities, including Commodore Richard Maru Shammah, Director of CRESMAO, Mr. Cheikh Toure, Country Director – Côte d’Ivoire UNODC, and H.E. Mrs. FANTA CISSE, Resident Representative of ECOWAS in Côte d’Ivoire.
- Commodore Richard Maru Shammah highlighted the multilateral nature of maritime challenges and emphasized the importance of effective adoption and implementation of the Action Plan by the ECOWAS Commission.
- Mr. Cheikh Toure lauded ECOWAS initiatives in West Africa, particularly the EU-funded ECOWAS SWAIMS project, for aligning with the Integrated Maritime Strategy. He underscored the critical need for collaborative efforts among ECOWAS Member States to address maritime security issues effectively.
- H.E. Mrs. FANTA CISSE extended a warm welcome to all participants in Côte d’Ivoire and stressed the interdisciplinary nature of the maritime sector. She underlined the importance of inter-agency cooperation at national and regional levels to ensure effective management and utilization of maritime resources.
The Interdepartmental Meeting is being facilitated with the support of the ECOWAS-SWAIMS project and key partners, including the European Union and UNODC. This collaborative effort signifies a significant step towards fostering maritime safety and security in the West African region.
As the discussions unfold and strategies are refined, the ECOWAS Commission is poised to strengthen its commitment to maritime excellence, setting sail towards a future of enhanced cooperation and sustainable development in the maritime domain.
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