CJOS COE in collaboration with COE CSW

Delivering Maritime Security and Safety in Global Partnership:  Creating a Strategic Framework for Maritime Security Cooperation

The First Combined Maritime Security Conference will take place at the Sparkassen-Arena, Kiel, Germany, from 2 to 5 May, 2011, with accommodation at the Atlantic and InterCity hotels, Kiel. This year’s conference will be co-sponsored by the Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence (CJOS COE) and the Centre of Excellence for Operations in Confined and Shallow Waters (COE CSW).

MCS 2011 is the foremost annual event for civilian and military professionals who are involved in maritime security and safety affairs around the world. In a collaborative setting, this prestigious group discusses solutions to challenging security issues that will contribute to a more effective Global Network for Maritime Security Cooperation.

Building on the success of the previous conferences, the objectives for the 2011 Conference are to:

Governance: The overarching goal for enhancing global maritime security is the need to implement uniform security measures around the world, a goal that cannot be achieved without an unswerving commitment by all concerned.  To this effect, the establishment of an oversight International Maritime Security Cooperation Organization (comparable to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)) would help to set policies and standards that promote an integrated approach to maritime surveillance and information sharing environment. An “ICAO-like” organisation would help to establish baseline structures with respect to policy, training and Maritime Security Sector Reform initiatives that would help States to achieve greater interoperability and make best use of existing systems on a cross-sector basis;

Consolidated Legal Strategies: States must demonstrate a willingness to make compromises in order to advance maritime security issues which consider UN conventions pertaining to legal activities at sea. This will require improvements in regulating the maritime commons, through sound legislation which promotes the interoperability between regional maritime security organizations. A high level of confidence in the security of the maritime domain is attainable through improved information sharing standards and creating more opportunities for mutual training and education;

Surveillance: Maritime security cooperation is rapidly evolving, perhaps more quickly than it did during the preceding decade.  Persistent surveillance of the maritime commons requires a significant investment in national and international resources.  Coordination and cooperation among states and inter-agencies could mitigate resource deficiencies thus providing more efficient and economical management of the surveillance effort while extending coverage over a broader area through regional networks; and

Data Sharing Technologies and Infrastructure: The growing plethora of information management systems and standards will certainly create greater challenges and complexities for information sharing in future, especially in the face of cyber threats.  To be globally effective, a set of overarching standards for operational reporting and technical baselines is needed.

We are looking forward to meeting you in Kiel.