Luanda — The International Conference on Maritime and Energy Security (CISME) is scheduled to start Thursday in Luanda, sponsored by Angola, United States of America and Italy.
The event is meant to coordinate strategies and sharing information to make the seas safer for development of economic activity.
Several delegations continue flocking to Angola to attend the meeting.
Angolan minister of Foreign Affairs Georges Chikoti told the press Tuesday that at least 54 countries of Africa, Europe, America and Asia may attend the conference, described as timely to Angola, due to its considerable maritime area for fishing and oil exploration.
The minister also said the issue of maritime safety becomes equally important for the Gulf of Guinea region, which record action affecting the maritime economy.
Meanwhile, the official defended the extension of the Gulf of Guinea to the entire corridor of the western coast of the Atlantic Ocean, from southern Angola to northern Guinea-Bissau.
According to him, the intention is to improve the coordination among the various States sharing the Atlantic.
He referred also to environmental challenges due to the cases of marine pollution, illegal fishing and violation of maritime borders and illegal immigration.
The minister believes that the International Conference on Maritime and Energy Safety will adopt resolutions that will help make safer the Atlantic Ocean.
The conference will discuss topics such as "threats, opportunities, vulnerabilities and global and continental maritime capabilities" and "regional strategies of maritime security".
Participants are expected to adopt a "Luanda Declaration on maritime and energy security."
