UAE partakes in International Conference on Maritime and Energy Security in Angola

Successful protection of maritime security requires joint international efforts, maritime and overland operations as well as enhancing capabilities of involved countries to enable them to enforce the law and control their borders, said Khalid Ghanem Al Ghaith, Assistant Foreign Minister of the UAE for Economic Affairs.

In a statement before the International Conference on Maritime and Energy Security (CISME), Al Ghaith said challenges to maritime and energy security cannot be addressed without collective action.

Angolan Vice-President Manuel Domingos Vicente opened the conference in the Angolan capital on Thursday in the presence of government officials and experts from 57 countries.

The UAE participated in the conference on invitation from Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

"Because it is a global trade hub and a maritime shipping destination for commodities from across the world, in addition to being an oil producing country with many offshore installations, the UAE recognises the importance of maritime security for trade and energy. This entailed inevitable commitment to counter any violation of maritime security, not only in our region, but in the whole world," Al Ghaith added.

"Because it is a global trade hub and a maritime shipping destination for commodities from across the world, in addition to being an oil producing country with many offshore installations, the UAE recognises the importance of maritime security for trade and energy. This entailed inevitable commitment to counter any violation of maritime security, not only in our region, but in the whole world," Al Ghaith added.

He further noted that the UAE has led many joint efforts to remove threats destabilising maritime security, is an active member of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and has worked with international partners to curb piracy in the Western Indian Ocean. He cited the Marine Counter Piracy Conference, hosted by the UAE over the past four years.

The event is organsied in the UAE in partnershp with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and global marine terminal operator DP World to bring together senior officials and experts working on innovative ways of removing piracy around the world.

Additionally, the UAE official stressed the need for joint action to find and put in place solutions that ensure that regional and international actors agree on sharing resources to address this problem, which goes along with partnership between the public and private sectors to ensure that ideas and visions are shared, that involved parties are participating in joint action and efforts are being joined in this field.

The Luanda conference is aimed at coordinating strategies and boosting information sharing to enhance maritime security and economic activities.

The Luanda Declaration on Maritime and Energetic Security stressed the need for intensified international efforts to protect coasts, highlight the deep connection between energy security, maritime security and economic activity. It also urged for stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors, increased investments in coastal protection, contribution towards the burgeoning "blue economy" and prioritising protection of coasts and oil resources, in the Gulf of Guinea region in particular.