Good maritime security should not be seen as an end in itself, it is a means to an end as it underpins and enables sustainable maritime development which supports improved and sustainable economic development. This was the message delivered by IMO’s Chris Trelawny, who was speaking at the International Sea Power and Security Symposium 2016, held in Istanbul, Turkey (13-14 April) which focused on the theme of “Collaboration for Maritime Security”. Mr Trelawny outlined IMO’s comprehensive capacity-building programmes, working with IMO Member States globally to enhance maritime safety, security and facilitation capabilities and to counter illicit maritime activities both bilaterally and regionally, and in cooperation with the United Nations agencies, offices and programmes, regional bodies, national development partners and other organizations. He highlighted one of the challenges, namely that maritime security and maritime law enforcement are often seen as departmental issues – issues for the navy, or the coast guard, or the police, or the maritime authority – with those agencies competing for scarce resources, rather than being part of a national, multi-agency response to developing the maritime sector. A multi-agency, multidisciplinary approach is needed, he concluded.