A national table top exercise on maritime contingency planning is being conducted in Djibouti (9-10 November), as part of a series of events leading up to the official opening of the Djibouti Regional Training Centre on Thursday (12 November). The aim of the exercise is to improve procedures and policies when faced with complex maritime security incidents. The table top exercise follows the successful model of table top exercises carried out in west and central Africa and is the first of a planned series in east Africa. Some 24 participants from relevant government departments and agencies are participating in the exercise, which is intended to stimulate discussion and demonstrate the need for co-operation amongst government departments and agencies. A range of evolving scenarios are utilised, to determine respective roles, responsibilities, processes and procedures, and how these may develop, both with respect to routine business, and during an incident. Discussions are being facilitated by IMO's Henrik Madsen and Kiruja Micheni with a team of consultants.