Maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea – what has been done, what needs to be done?

Though the Gulf of Guinea and maritime insecurity may have been absent from the headlines recently, challenges still loom large for international trade and business, and for economic development in the region. The region is also affected by terrorism, irregular migrant flows, and political instability. And, worryingly, many countries do not seem to be fully committed to the Yaoundé Process.   The conference brought together around sixty participants: stakeholders from West Africa, European and international policymakers, industry figures and regional experts. The discussions were organised around three complementary sessions:

• Outlining the strategic challenges at stake in the Gulf of Guinea regarding maritime security;
   
• Exploring the prospects of the Yaoundé Process;
   
• Characterising the nature of international engagement and support to the region.