A five-day workshop on “Comparative Study on the Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in IORA Member States” and the Regional Maritime Dialogue on “Law Enforcement” organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka with the support of the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), started on Monday 30 October and concluded on 3 November 2023 at the Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka.
Representatives from IORA member states attended, including Australia, Bangladesh, France/Reunion, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand and Yemen . two-person interactive event.
The workshop aimed to provide an in-depth analysis on IORA member states to identify gaps between their national legislation and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This workshop presented the main findings of the gap analysis study, while providing space for open dialogue and discussion. Expert resources from the Max Planck Foundation, UNODC, the Sri Lanka Navy and the Attorney General’s Department shared their insights to improve the effectiveness of the event.
This event was expected to enhance capabilities, foster understanding of maritime threats and challenges, and facilitate the exchange of experiences between Member States that are essential to effectively address the challenges we currently face. This interactive event also provided a platform to establish a cohesive approach towards our collective goal of ensuring the safety and security of the Indian Ocean region.