Contact Group Anti-Piracy Conference in Seychelles Nears
20 DAYS left as Seychelles Readies for Major Anti Piracy Conference. Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, CGPCS, Delegates Head for their 19th Plenary.
As of Wednesday 11 May 2016 the Seychelles will have 20 days left until the start of another major event, and following closely on the heels of the visit of the United Nations Secretary General’s visit to the islands, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, that of the 19th Plenary Meeting of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, or CGPCS.
It was at the 18th Plenary meeting of the group, at a meeting at the United Nations in New York City, New York, in the United States of America, that assembled delegates of the CGPCS agreed to a proposal by the European Union, EU, that Seychelles as a regional leader in the Indian Ocean, should take up the chairmanship and secretariat, with the EU handing over to Seychelles, this as from the 1 January 2016.
Since the handover date the Seychelles has held a Strategy Meeting in Mumbai, India, this on 1 February 2016, where it welcomed the decision of the reduction of the High Risk Area (HRA) in the Indian Ocean, an event which occurred on the 1 December 2015, following intense discussions by trade representatives of the shipping industry, insurance companies, and other contact group members. That Mumbai meeting, hosted by the Indian Government provided an opportunity for contact group members to support holding their 19th meeting in the Seychelles, keeping to the theme, “From the Region to the Region; Creating a Lasting Legacy.”
High powered delegations from the region and beyond have confirmed their participation where nationally representatives from the leisure and yachting industry, shipping, insurance, seafarers association, naming but a few have been invited to attend the opening of the Plenary which starts on the 31 May 2016.
The CGPCS Secretariat confirmed that at this time there is commitment for several naval ships from contact group member states to be present in Port Victoria during the four day plenary, providing an interesting back drop for the anti piracy meeting. The Secretariat as well confirmed that an interesting talk, will be given by Mr. Liam Webber of M&C SAATCHI, on strategic communications and its effects in Somalia. This talk it is expected will be hosted onboard one of the visiting naval vessels and will be by invitation.
For more information on the 19th CGPCS Plenary in Seychelles please contact the CGPCS Secretariat via email on admincgpcs@mfa.gov.sc.
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