[04/07/2024 07:35]

BRUSSELS - SABA
The annual conference for the reconstruction and development of the Yemeni Coast Guard was held Thursday here at the invitation United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The Director General of the Yemeni Coast Guard Major General Khaled Ali al-Qumali, the Director General of Customs Abdulhakim al-Qubati, and Yemen's Ambassador to Belgium Mohammed Taha Mustafa represented Yemen in the conference.

The conference, attended by the director of the Global Program to Combat Maritime Crime and representatives of donor countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, as well as officials from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Global Maritime Crime Program in Yemen and Belgium during the period from July 2 to 3, 2024, discussed work papers that included a review of current capabilities, achievements in task implementation, infrastructure, training and qualification, and internal and external participation during the past period.

The work papers also addressed the current challenges, future plans, and the most important requirements for the upcoming period, as well as the work carried out by the Global Program and their upcoming plans, and the importance of donor support.

The conference aims to develop the infrastructure and build the capacities of staff of a number of relevant government agencies working in the ports and outlets of Aden, including the Coast Guard Service, the Customs Authority, the Aden Ports Corporation, and the General Authority for Maritime Affairs.

The Yemeni side emphasized the importance of expanding and strengthening the work of the program and the contribution of donor countries in providing the necessary support to enhance maritime security and the capabilities and efficiency of workers at Yemen's land and sea ports, given the strategic location of the Republic of Yemen and its importance for the security and stability of the region and the protection of international shipping lanes.

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