Co-organised by CRIMARIO and the Indian Ocean Commission, the exercise was designed to be a dynamic and engaging simulation, to test and improve the regional maritime operational capabilities of the Indian Ocean region. Through detailed preparation, robust communication protocols, and strict adherence to legal frameworks, the exercise aimed to foster a cooperative environment that enhanced the response to maritime security threats.

During the exercise participants shared information on #IORIS, a communications platform for interagency planning and coordination at the national and regional level, which facilitates the gathering, analysis, and exchange of information to timely and efficiently support decision-making and actions at sea.

The exercise scenario focused on locating and identifying ships involved in the transportation of narcotics, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing, Search and Rescue and how to respond to these challenges (i.e., interdiction, interception, handover, legal finish, etc.) and coordinate operations at sea, in the framework of the IOC regional agreements.

The TTX helped participants to practice the law of the sea, including article 17 of the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

Moreover, they trained about interagency coordinated responses at national and regional level, refining tactics, techniques, and procedures in a controlled, simulated environment.

In the words of Martin Cauchi Inglott: “Essential in our line of business is the ability to communicate and coordinate effectively, so that we can conduct effective and efficient missions and operations, and this is precisely what the exercise targeted. A total of 11 scenarios were played in this exercise, over 2.5 days addressing the three main themes: people, drugs and IUU. I would like to congratulate all the agencies participating in the exercises for playing an essential role in it”.

In his closing remarks Raj Mohabeer, Indian Ocean Commission, underlined: “These exercises are extremely important to enhance cooperation among national and regional centres. I would like to thank all participating countries, the RMIFC, the RCOC, and EU CRIMARIO project for the good cooperation and for the success of this exercise which will contribute to strengthen maritime security in the region”.

L’article BALINN24: working together to enhance regional coordination and information sharing for safer and more secure seas est apparu en premier sur Ioris.

Once established, the structure would allow the Philippines to be integrated into the wider IORIS Communitybeing developed, to address maritime challenges, with the twofold objective being to facilitate enhanced exchange of information with regional partners, whilst also ensuring for the long-term implementation and sustainability of the platform.

Philippines’ maritime agencies have received extensive training on the IORIS platform since 2021, and its use has harmonised inter-agency information flows, promoted collaboration and trust, and enhanced interoperability amongst one another ever since.

With the creation of the IORIS National Governance Structure, the signatory agencies agreed to become active members of the IORIS National Board, assuring the proper functionality of the platform at national and regional level, to best serve the operational needs of its users, remaining aligned with the tool’s fundamental objectives: interconnecting maritime agencies/authorities, at national and regional level, to better address maritime security and safety challenges nationally and in the Indo-Pacific region, also supporting sustainable fisheries.

Closing the event, Martin Cauchi-Inglott, CRIMARIO project director said: “Philippines has been at the forefront of welcoming IORIS to the region, the action even commencing with intensity when COVID was at its peak. Philippines is now set to lead the way in taking ownership of IORIS, allowing itself to drive the process internally, and bridge to external partners whenever it deems necessary. My hearty congratulations go to these most professional maritime agencies coming on board.”

L’article Interconnecting national maritime agencies to strengthen maritime security and safety in the Philippines est apparu en premier sur Ioris.

During the two -day event, senior officials from Indian Ocean countries, together with national and international agencies and organisations involved in maritime security analysed the potential of the IORIS platform as a sustainable, and in the future, regionally owned tool, to fight maritime challenges such as terrorism at sea, port security, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, maritime pollution, and explored ways on how to enhance the platform.

The conference is the first of a series of regional events to build communities of users and enrich and enhance the IORIS Network, by examining how the platform can be exploited further, to become a truly regional platform, owned and managed by all actors working in the Indo Pacific region.

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L’article Fighting maritime threats through the IORIS platform est apparu en premier sur Ioris.