Galle Dialogue International Maritime Conference kicks off today

The 11th edition of the Galle Dialogue International Maritime Conference, organised by the Sri Lanka Navy in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and Geopolitical Cartographer (GC), is scheduled to commence today at the Jetwing Lighthouse in Galle. 

The inaugural ceremony of this two-day conference, (12 and 13 October), will be held under the patronage of the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe and with the distinguished presence of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and distinguished guests. The central theme of this year’s conference is “Emerging New Order in the Indian Ocean.” Maritime representatives from 44 countries, along with 11 international organisations and defence industry organisations, have been invited by the Sri Lanka Navy to participate in this year’s event on a global scale.

In a time when the traditional global regulations overseeing maritime safety and security, along with cooperative maritime initiatives are encountering unprecedented difficulties, there has been a notable increase in non-traditional threats in the maritime domain. These non-traditional threats encompass events such as sea piracy, smuggling of humans, drugs and arms as well as Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing practices. These issues have evolved into worldwide concerns, impacting various oceans, coastal regions, and even areas that are not directly on the coast. Furthermore, the global rise in problems such as the overuse of marine resources, pollution of the oceans, maritime accidents, and harm to the marine environment has extended its reach to the Indian Ocean as well, signifying the expansion of these non-traditional maritime challenges.

Given this context, it is vital to develop a holistic, collaborative strategy that can effectively attain maritime economic goals while also prioritising the safety and security of maritime operations. Not just Sri Lanka, which is an island nation holding a crucial strategic position in the Indian Ocean, but also the coastal States along the Indian Ocean and all parties involved in maritime activities within the Indian Ocean therefore have a shared responsibility in this matter. The Galle Dialogue International Maritime Conference provides an excellent platform for various stakeholders in the maritime industry to come together, share insights, and collaboratively address unconventional maritime challenges by pooling their knowledge, expertise, and strategic approaches.

During the initial day of the conference, which is set for 12 October, the discussions will revolve around key themes such as the Emerging New Order in the Indian Ocean, Maritime Security Concerns and Maritime Synergy to Foster Blue Economy. Moving on to the second day (13 October), the focus will shift towards Maritime Environment Protection for Collaborative Maritime Prosperity, Maritime Domain Awareness and Collaborative Enforcement for Sustainable Ocean Governance.

To access the most up-to-date details about the Galle Dialogue 2023 International Maritime Conference and even watch the conference live on 12 and 13 October, visit the official website at www.galledialogue.lk.