Delegations from 13 countries, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kenya, and Tanzania, took part in this year’s GMS
The Indian Navy successfully hosted the fifth edition of the Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS) from 23rd to 24th September, bringing together key stakeholders from the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to discuss pressing maritime security issues. Held under the aegis of the Naval War College, Goa, the symposium took place in the newly inaugurated Chola building, a state-of-the-art facility that provided the perfect setting for high-level discussions.
This year’s symposium focused on the theme, *“Common Maritime Security Challenges in the IOR – Progressing Lines of Effort to Mitigate Dynamic Threats such as IUU Fishing and Other Illegal Maritime Activities.”* The theme reflected the larger vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR), a concept put forward by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to foster peace and prosperity in the IOR.
Delegations from 13 countries, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kenya, and Tanzania, took part in this year’s GMS. The participants were senior officers, primarily of Captain or Commander rank, from the navies and maritime security agencies of these friendly nations.
The symposium served as a platform for discussing collaborative strategies to tackle non-traditional maritime threats, such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and other illegal maritime activities. These issues have become a growing concern for nations in the Indian Ocean Region, and the discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening regional cooperation.
During the two-day event, participants explored mechanisms for improved information sharing, joint surveillance, and regional partnerships to enhance maritime security. They also discussed ways to mitigate emerging threats through shared knowledge and resources.
The symposium, by addressing both ongoing and future security concerns, laid the groundwork for the upcoming Goa Maritime Conclave, scheduled for 2025.