The 8th Symposium of the Heads of Navies and Coastguards in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) concluded on November 28, 2024, in Abuja, with a renewed commitment to strengthen maritime security and sustainable development in the region.
Organised by the Nigerian Navy in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the French Navy, the event brought together approximately 200 participants, including senior naval officials, regional institutions, and international partners.
Themed “Maritime Security and Sustainable Development in the Gulf of Guinea”, the two-day conference focused on key issues affecting the region’s maritime domain, including piracy, illicit trafficking, and resource exploitation. Discussions revolved around three strategic areas: Regional and International Cooperation, Maritime Domain Awareness and Information Sharing, and Legal and Regulatory Frameworks.
The symposium placed significant emphasis on the operationalisation of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, a framework designed to enhance maritime security and governance in the Gulf of Guinea. The Yaoundé Architecture, which facilitates regional coordination, was central to the discussions.
The EU-funded EnMAR project provided critical support for this year’s event. Delegates included heads of navies and coastguards from Gulf of Guinea nations, representatives from ECOWAS and the Gulf of Guinea Commission, and officials from European and U.S. navies.
EU Ambassador Gautier Mignot participated in the strategy session on Regional and International Cooperation. He reiterated the EU’s commitment to addressing maritime threats through an integrated approach, emphasizing that maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea is a shared global concern.
“The EU is committed to working collaboratively with Gulf of Guinea countries to tackle maritime challenges that threaten security and sustainable development in the region,” Ambassador Mignot stated.
The symposium culminated in the adoption of a final communiqué containing 14 resolutions aimed at bolstering maritime security governance, enhancing information sharing, and improving regional cooperation under the Yaoundé Code of Conduct.
One key resolution called for the strengthening of the governance structure of the Yaoundé Architecture to ensure effective responses to maritime threats. The resolutions also underscored the importance of legal and regulatory frameworks in addressing piracy and other maritime crimes.
The next edition of the Gulf of Guinea Symposium is scheduled to take place in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2025, as regional stakeholders continue to build on the progress achieved in Abuja.
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