Galle Dialogue 2017 to focus on challenges in countering maritime security threats
‘Galle Dialogue 2017,’ the International Maritime Security Conference organised by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) jointly with the Ministry of Defence, will be held for the 8th consecutive year, on Oct.9 and 10 at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo.
This year’s theme is, “Greater Maritime Visibility for Enhanced Maritime Security.”
"The growing reliance on the oceans for trade and energy, makes ‘Maritime Security’ one of the predominant factors that directly impacts on global security," the concept paper for this year’s conference notes. "With approximately 362 million sq.km of ocean, the global community would have to face a wide range of challenges in countering Maritime Security threats that would take place within the maritime domain, if collaborative effort is not structured. Considered as the last frontier of mankind, the oceans, therefore, have to be protected from present as well as future security threats which are anticipated."
"The Navies, Coast Guards, other maritime law enforcement agencies and a number of other entities responsible for surveillance of vast oceans, find it challenging to remain vigilant on each and every square metre of the ocean. Despite advances made in the fields of communication, maritime surveillance, intelligence gathering, information sharing, etc., maritime space is still being heavily exploited by illegal actors. They have been successful in navigating through the barely monitored maritime sectors, as well as some of the loosely imposed rules/regulations. Today, even the most technologically advanced agencies run into difficulties in acquiring the complete maritime picture, which is considered a binding factor as far as the implementation of counter strategies are concerned."
"It is in this context that this year’s Galle Dialogue theme ‘Greater Maritime Visibility for Enhanced Maritime Security’ has been articulated, with the notion that the participants will confer ways and means to augment ‘maritime visibility’ through constructive deliberations and means of sharing already available capabilities that stem from a tactical level all the way up, to a broader strategic and policy level. It is anticipated that such an approach will pave the way to enhance ‘Maritime Visibility’ and address Maritime Security threats and challenges, through a proactive stratagem."
Inaugurated in 2010, the purpose of this conference is to provide a common platform for stakeholders of national and international repute to discuss and deliberate maritime related issues. Moreover, it aims to specifically enhance the cooperation of Maritime Security and sharing of knowledge and information amongst them, according to the SLN.
This year’s Galle Dialogue too, will see the participation of 200 foreign participants along with many international organisations. Already 49 countries and 12 international organisations have confirmed their attendance.