States in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden region have established a new framework for joint maritime operations, supported by 15 partner organizations.

The framework will serve as a roadmap for navies, law enforcement and regulatory bodies in the region to enhance maritime security by translating policy commitments into tangible cooperation at sea.

The agreement was reached at the inaugural meeting of Working Group 3 on Operational Cooperation and Coordination at Sea under the Djibouti Code of Conduct / Jeddah Amendment (DCoC/JA), held in Mombasa, Kenya (1-4 September 2025). All 21 signatory States of the DCoC, which seeks to combat transnational maritime crime in all its forms, are included in the framework.

Hosted by the Kenya Navy and jointly organized with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the meeting was supported by the Kingdom of Denmark, UNITAR, and the Indian Ocean Commission. It follows a resolution from the DCoC High-Level Meeting held in Dar es Salaam in November 2024, where members committed to harnessing naval and coast guard capabilities to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness and interdiction at sea.

Led by the region

During his opening remarks, the Danish Maritime Ambassador H.E Nicolai Ruge stressed that while the international community can provide short-term support, the long-term solution to maritime threats must be developed and led by countries within the region.

"Recognizing the potential of national, regional and international naval forces to assist maritime law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies to carry out their duties is a huge step in enhancing the effectiveness of maritime security. It will require close cooperation and coordination between navies and law enforcement authorities in the region."

Major General Paul Otieno, Commander Kenya Navy, said Working Group 3 would be a critical mechanism for translating policy into practice, and ensuring that regional maritime security architecture is both responsive and resilient.

Broad stakeholder support

Key stakeholders welcomed the new framework:

"If the newly established Working Group embraces the three Cs - Coordination, Collaboration & Cooperation in execution, the region will have a harmonized framework for countering maritime security threats and other illicit activities," said Ms. Mashudu Nepfumbada, DCoC Chair.

"Through the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT), UNITAR has already supported states in using satellite imagery and vessel monitoring. Working Group 3 allows such tools to be embedded in joint operations and exercises," added Mr. Sascha Weh, Chief of UNITAR's Division for Peace office in Brussels.

"Six of the signatory States of DCoC/JA are also signatories of the Regional Maritime Security Architecture. We should share our experiences and work closely with signatory States, to avoid duplication, ensure coherence and maximize from available resources," said Mr. Raj Mohabeer, Officer in Charge at the General Secretariat of the Indian Ocean Commission.

Addressing emerging threats

IMO Djibouti Code of Conduct Project Manager, Mr. Kiruja Micheni, highlighted the multi-faceted role of navies in contemporary maritime security and encouraged the use of law enforcement agencies to improve interoperability among Member States.

Discussions focused on shared maritime challenges and emerging threats, including missile and drone attacks against ships. Delegates also emphasized the need to address capability development, capacity building, sustainability and legal gaps in the implementation of joint maritime operations at sea.

About the DCOC/JA

Adopted in 2009, the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC) united regional States against piracy and armed robbery at sea. Its scope has since expanded to address other maritime crimes, including illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and trafficking in persons and weapons. In 2017, States adopted the Jeddah Amendment (JA) to the Code, which calls for strengthened cooperation to combat transnational maritime crime in all its forms.