The Indian Navy hosted the fifth edition of the Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS) 2024 from 23-24 September under the aegis of the Naval War College, Goa. Conducted in the newly inaugurated Chola building, this year’s theme was “Common Maritime Security Challenges in the IOR – Progressing Lines of Effort to Mitigate Dynamic Threats such as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Other Illegal Maritime Activities.”
The event was guided by the “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR) initiative, emphasizing regional prosperity and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The symposium featured delegates from 14 IOR littoral nations, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka, among others. Observers from Kenya and Tanzania also participated.
Theme
The theme focused on addressing non-traditional maritime security challenges in the IOR, with a particular emphasis on mitigating IUU fishing and other illegal maritime activities. It aimed to enhance regional security through cooperative measures and information-sharing mechanisms.
Participants
Naval representatives, typically of Captain or Commander rank, from 14 IOR littoral countries attended the symposium. The countries included Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Thailand.
Discussions and Key Points
The symposium centered on strategies for strengthening regional cooperation and collaborative efforts to address non-traditional maritime threats. The discussions aimed to improve information-sharing mechanisms and foster mutual understanding between participating countries.
Outcomes
Deliberations at GMS 2024 will serve as foundational inputs for the upcoming Goa Maritime Conclave in 2025, focusing on continued collaboration in enhancing maritime security across the Indian Ocean Region.