Regional cooperation key to maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
Regional cooperation is crucial in tackling evolving maritime security challenges in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, IMO has underscored at the fifth Regional Maritime Law Enforcement Dialogue (MLED) in Nairobi (24–25 August 2026).
The event brought together maritime law‑enforcement agencies from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, along with regional and international partners, to strengthen cooperation amid rising threats from piracy and armed robbery at sea, geopolitical tensions and organised criminal activity.
IMO support for global maritime security
IMO’s Head of the Maritime Security Section, Mr. Jeremy Greenwood, outlined actions the Organization has taken to safeguard ships and seafarers affected by ongoing geopolitical issues around the world.
He stressed the importance of regional engagement in IMO policymaking efforts, including on new and emerging maritime policy issues, such as the development of a maritime cybersecurity code and the new Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships Code (MASS Code).
He presented IMO’s technical assistance and capacity-building support to Member States in this area, including on the development of national maritime security strategies, National Maritime Security Committees, and risk assessments.
Other initiatives to support the implementation of maritime security requirements, including the IMO Model Course on Ship and Port Facility Security, maritime personnel and baggage screening and searching, maritime domain awareness, and operational-level implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, were also covered.
Strengthening regional cooperation
During the dialogue, country officials focused on practical solutions to address the ongoing challenges in the region, including measures to strengthen information-sharing, maritime domain awareness, incident reporting, vessel tracking and coordinated responses to maritime security incidents.
The event was organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) under the EU-funded Regional Programme for Maritime Security in the Red Sea Area (‘Red Sea Project’), through which IMO, UNODC and INTERPOL work together to bolster maritime security cooperation across the region.
The fifth MLED built on four previous editions held in Mombasa, Djibouti, Addis Ababa and Nairobi since 2021.
Source : IMO
