EU MARITIME SECURITY WEEK: Advancing a harmonized approach to maritime security in the Red Sea, East Africa, Southern Africa and Western Indian Ocean with the support of the[...]

Nairobi, Kenya, 05^th Dec. 2025 - From 2 to 5 December 2025, Nairobi was at the heart of a regional mobilisation for maritime security in East Africa, Red Sea, Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean. The EU Regional Maritime Security Week convened the Steering Committees of three flagship programmes funded by the European Union targeting maritime security in the region: the Red Sea Programme, the Safe Seas Programme and the Port Security and Safety of Navigation programme. The event gathered 112 delegates among 16 countries and 12 regional and international organisations. The week culminated with the Steering Committee of the Regional Maritime Security Architecture (RMSA) for information sharing, bringing together key regional actors and international partners.

This event, organised by the EU, the Republic of Kenya, the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and INTERPOL, provided a comprehensive and shared overview of ongoing EU maritime security initiatives and priorities and ensured harmonisation of approaches and synergies of action. The presentations showcased the extremely positive results achieved by the partner countries with the support of the three programmes: more than a dozen maritime operations organised, seizures of 2,4 tonnes of drugs and illicit cargo (9,9 million cigarettes, 17 stolen vehicles, 30t of kratom), 36 human traffickers and criminals apprehended, tens of fishermen and sailors in distress rescued, and the organisation of regional simulation exercises to test and strengthen response capabilities.

At the opening of the EU Regional Maritime Security Week, Brigadier Mohamed Shemote, Commander of the Kenya Navy Fleet, on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Defence Hon. Soipan Tuya, stated that "Our region continues to grapple with the constantly changing threats of piracy, illicit trafficking, IUU fishing, maritime terrorism and the increasing effects of climate-induced instability. These threats do not respect national borders; neither can our responses be confined with them. […] This forum provides a unique opportunity to deepen our partnerships and reaffirm that security at sea is a shared responsibility".

Given the complexity of the issues, the European Union is working with national and international partners to implement and coordinate the programmes it funds for the benefit of and in consultation with the countries of the three regions. And considering maritime security is not only a regional issue but a global challenge, the European Union, represented by Mr Ondrej Simek, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Kenya, confirms its engagement at inter-regional level. "For the first time we are bringing together the Safe Sea for Africa programme, the Red Sea Programme and the Port Security and Safety of Navigation Programme. We believe that by uniting these initiative [including the Regional Maritime Security Architecture created in 2018], we are able to enhance cooperation and formulate joint solutions for threats that you are sharing across the region and that we are sharing with you"

Indeed, cooperation and partnerships are at the heart of these initiatives. Joint operations at sea may grab the spotlight, but the real foundation of success is built long before vessels ever leave ports: steady flow of information exchange between partners, training of officials responsible for state action at sea and port security, provision of equipment and software that make coordinated actions possible. It continues through the creation of joint procedures manuals and intervention protocols, the push for inter-agency interoperability and coordination, the strengthening of legal frameworks and creation of legal finish, the establishment of national maritime security committees and centres, and beyond.

The EU Regional Maritime Security Week strived to shape a unified vision for maritime security across Africa's key coastal regions. Central to its mission was the promotion of a harmonised, coherent approach that strengthens coordination among EU programmes, implementing partners and beneficiary states. Throughout the week, participants exchanged lessons learned and proven best practices, creating a dynamic space for regional and inter-regional cooperation to grow.

The week concluded with clear momentum and tangible results. It deepened coordination with and among regional partners and cemented a shared EU-Africa vision for maritime security. The success of this first edition of the EU Maritime Security week underscores how collective commitment can drive real progress toward safer and more resilient seas.