State Partnership Program

Video by Nancy Hudson

African Union & Maritime Security Conference, Hosted by AFRICOM

U.S. Africa Command

Oct. 13, 2010 | 8:51

Long-term, sustainable approaches at sea and on land backed by international collaboration were consistent themes at the 2010 Maritime Safety and Security Towards Economic Prosperity Conference in Stuttgart, Germany, October 13-14, 2010.

"The conference has enabled us to have an in-depth discussion on one of the most important issues facing the world today: How to improve maritime safety and security in order to ensure economic prosperity for all and to have an enhanced dignity for African people, through sustainable governance of Africa's maritime domain," said Ambassador John K. Shinkaiye, the African Union Commission chief of staff, during the conference's closing session.

The two-day, international event was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense. It featured a 15-member delegation from the African Union Commission, headed by H.E. Erastus Mwencha, the AUC deputy chairperson. More than 170 delegates attended from 19 African and five European nations, along with representatives from international maritime-focused organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector. The conference was hosted by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
"In many important ways, the future of Africa is very much connected with the waters that surround us," Shinkaiye said. "But, to fully realize this promise of development, Africa must meet the many threats and challenges that emanate from the seas. Too many of our citizens perish at sea -- the victims of human traffickers. Too much of our fish is stolen by foreign vessels thereby endangering our food security. Too much of our oil is stolen by unscrupulous individuals and organizations, thereby, depriving us of precious resources. Too many ships dump nuclear and toxic wastes in our waters, leading to death and disease for quite a few Africans. Too many pirates roam our waters and disrupt our maritime connections with the rest of the world, thereby hampering trade and increasing the cost of doing business in Africa."
Follow the link for complete transcripts and documents:
http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp...