IMO is assisting the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and regional authorities to put in place the required legal framework that gives full and complete effect to IMO instruments dealing with maritime security, during a five-day national workshop (23-27 October) in Mogadishu.
This is part of the EU-funded Regional Programme for Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area. Under this Programme, IMO assists participating countries – Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen - to enhance maritime security and safety in the Red Sea Area, in line with the 2050 Africa Integrated Maritime Strategy. The Strategy was developed to address Africa's maritime challenges for sustainable development and competitiveness. Similar workshops are planned for all countries involved in the project, with one already having taken place in Ethiopia.
The workshop will also familiarize stakeholders with the content of IMO circular MSC.1/Circ.1525, Guidance on the development of maritime security legislation, so as to draft national legislation to bring into effect the relevant maritime security measures (SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code). These are designed to provide a comprehensive mandatory security regime for international shipping.
The workshop is hosted by the Somalia Maritime Administration and brings together 19 participants from Somalia's Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
The workshop was opened by Mr. Saddam Mohamud Abdi, Somalia's Deputy Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Mr. Chris Reynolds, Head of Mission for the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia), and IMO's Mr. Kiruja Micheni.