From 2 to 3 September, the United Nations Office to the African Union participated in the AU Sensitization and Coordination Meeting on Maritime Security Governance and Consultation on an Africa Coast Guard Functions Forum.
Discussions focused on strengthening maritime security governance across the continent, including challenges affecting ratification of the African Charter on Maritime Security and Safety and Development in Africa (Lomé Charter). Participants identified complex domestic ratification procedures, limited legal and technical capacity, and insufficient awareness among the key challenges, and called for increased awareness-raising, capacity support and stronger continental coordination among regional maritime security structures.
Participants also welcomed the proposal to establish an Africa Coast Guard Functions Forum as a platform for consultation and cooperation. They emphasized that any such mechanism should be light, flexible, inclusive and non-binding, without creating additional financial or institutional obligations.
During the meeting, UNOAU briefed participants on United Nations efforts to advance maritime security and outlined support provided to Member States, Regional Economic Communities and the African Union in strengthening maritime security cooperation and governance.
