Overview

• The Global Maritime Security and Sanctions Enforcement Conference convened in Abidjan on July 16–17 under co-hosts the U.S. State Department, the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa and Cote d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Transport.
• Delegates from 25 countries agreed to strengthen due diligence protocols and share best practices among ship registries, maritime authorities and industry stakeholders.
• The United States reaffirmed its resolve to combat maritime sanctions evasion and illicit shipping as part of global sanctions enforcement.
• New commitments target oil exports from Iran and coal and iron ore shipments from North Korea that finance their weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.
• Organizers said the outcome advances integration of private-sector compliance with government enforcement to secure key maritime routes.