UNLIREC and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), in collaboration with the Government of Peru, organized a tabletop activity to improve maritime and port security. The event brought together 28 representatives of various state entities, who were presented with a series of real-life scenarios, including situations related to cyber security in the port area, aspects related to physical protection of ports, contexts of illicit trafficking of substances linked to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and illicit trafficking of firearms, health security crisis, maritime safety inspections and management of hazardous materials, among others.
The event, which took place on 18 and 19 September, has as its main objective to support the State in the implementation of the IMO’s maritime security measures, including those under the SOLAS Convention and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), as well as the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. During the exercises, participants had the opportunity to discuss regulatory frameworks, existing procedures, roles and responsibilities as well as the need for cross-sectoral cooperation in the aforementioned areas. As a result, participants developed a series of conclusions identifying opportunities for improvement.
This activity is the sixth opportunity in which UNLIREC works together with the IMO to offer this type of tabletop exercise and forms part of UNLIREC’s 1540 Assistance Package, currently being implemented thanks to the financial support of Canada.