A table top exercise on maritime security has taken place in Nouakchott, Mauritania (13-15 April) run by IMO and attended by a number of national agencies. The event, hosted by the Mauritania Maritime Authority, encouraged a multi-agency, whole of Government approach to maritime security and maritime law enforcement issues using a range of evolving scenarios, in accordance with the IMO/MOWCA (MoU) and the Code of Conduct concerning the prevention of piracy, armed robbery against ships and illicit maritime activity in West and Central Africa.

IMO has been running this successful programme, designed to highlight the need for inter-agency cooperation and the development of national maritime strategies and contingency plans, in West and Central Africa since 2012. The current event is the 16th table top exercise to be held in the region.

IMO was represented by Salma Hassam from the Maritime Security Division and consultants Christophe Champagne and Alain Leclere.