The United States spearheaded a major conference in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on July 16-17, 2025, aimed at strengthening maritime security and enforcing sanctions to prevent the misuse of commercial shipping by rogue regimes. The two-day Global Maritime Security and Sanctions Enforcement Conference brought together global maritime industry leaders from 25 countries to address the growing threat of illicit maritime activity.
The conference was co-hosted by the Department of State, the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa, and the Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Transport. It featured a wide range of participants, including ship registries, maritime authorities, international organizations, and global coalitions such as the Registry Information Sharing Compact (RISC). The event provided a platform for these stakeholders to share their experiences, best practices, and lessons learned in enhancing sanctions enforcement and preventing proliferation activities.
The conference’s focus on combating maritime security threats was timely, given the ongoing use of commercial shipping by Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to evade sanctions and generate revenue. Iran continues to exploit the shipping industry to transport proliferation-related items, while the DPRK uses coal and iron ore exports to fund its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The United States has been committed to countering these activities, and the conference was seen as an important step in this effort.
During the conference, participants discussed ways to improve U.S. sanctions enforcement globally and prevent illicit maritime trade that threatens American interests. They also explored strategies for enhancing cooperation between countries and international organizations to address the root causes of maritime security threats.
Key takeaways from the conference included:
- Strengthening due diligence practices in ship registries and maritime authorities
- Enhancing enforcement of sanctions to prevent proliferation activities
- Improving international cooperation and information sharing between countries and organizations
- Addressing the root causes of illicit maritime activity, including money laundering and corruption
The conference marked a significant step forward in the global effort to combat maritime security threats. By bringing together key stakeholders from around the world, it provided a platform for sharing best practices, lessons learned, and challenges faced in addressing these threats.
In conclusion, the Global Maritime Security and Sanctions Enforcement Conference demonstrated the United States’ commitment to countering the misuse of commercial shipping by rogue regimes. The conference’s focus on strengthening maritime security and enforcing sanctions will be crucial in preventing proliferation activities and protecting American interests worldwide.