The cooperation and coordination of key partners around the Western Indian Ocean is an essential aspect in maintaining stability and prosperity within the region. With ongoing security provided by EU NAVFOR and other organisations, key development partners including the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO) can continue their valuable work.
Following a focused operation around the Puntland towns of Hurdiyo and Eyl, EU NAVFOR supported the implementation of a UNFAO project aimed to enhance the capacities of fishing communities in Puntland, Galmudug and Mogadishu. The EU-funded but UNFAO-implemented Coastal Communities Against Piracy (CCAP) project aims to provide training and support to artisanal fishermen along the coast of Somalia.
Whilst piracy has been suppressed around the Horn of Africa over the last ten years of Operation Atalanta, the threat remains, as seen a week ago (16 Oct 2018) after an attack on Hong Kong-flagged KSL Sydney (read more here). Maritime security is vital and the use of Best Management Practices (BMP5) is crucial to prevent and avert any future piracy related events.
The EU and the UN will continue this work and the development of partnerships and coordination concepts will be an enduring effort. Whilst significant progress has been made; EU NAVFOR and EU Partners such as the EU Capacity Building Mission in Somalia, (EUCAP Somalia) and the EU Training Mission, (EUTM) will also continue to provide bespoke training and facilitate projects/training programmes to enhance the capabilities of local people, as well as protecting ships of the World Food Programme, providing vital food aid to the most vulnerable people in the region.