EU Steps Up Engagement in Maritime Security through Djibouti Code of Conduct High-Level Meeting
The European Union (EU) participated for the first time as a ‘Friend’ (observer) in the High-Level Meeting of the Djibouti Code of Conduct-Jeddah Amendment (DCOC-JA), held in Dar es Salaam from 28 to 30 November. Hosted by Tanzania, the meeting brought together key regional and international stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean.
The DCOC-JA is a regional framework of 18 signatory states aimed at strengthening maritime security, countering piracy, and addressing other transnational maritime threats including illegal fishing, trafficking, and environmental crimes. The EU became a Friend of the DCOC-JA in April 2024, reaffirming its commitment to supporting regional efforts to build a robust maritime security architecture.
The EU highlighted its growing engagement in maritime security, presenting several key initiatives during the meeting. These include Operation ATALANTA, the EU’s naval operation countering piracy; Operation ASPIDES, focused on safe navigation in the Red Sea; and the EUCAP Somalia capacity-building mission.
The EU also promotes maritime security through its Safe Seas for Africa, Port Security and Safety of Navigation, and Red Sea programmes, as well as through CRIMARIO II, a capacity-building project enhancing maritime domain awareness.
“A safe and secure maritime environment is in everybody’s interest. Only through regional collaboration can we collectively meet today’s maritime challenges,” said Christine Grau, EU Ambassador to Tanzania. “The EU is committed to supporting this region’s efforts to monitor, secure, and sustainably develop its maritime domain.”
The EU’s financial contributions to regional maritime security exceed €80 million annually, supporting capacity building, training, and regional initiatives. During the meeting, the EU announced plans for a new €4 million project to address maritime threats and advance the DCOC-JA’s eight-point action plan. Participants praised the EU’s role in promoting information-sharing and coordination through CRIMARIO II’s IORIS platform, which enables secure, multi-agency cooperation across the region.
At the High-Level Meeting, the EU was also represented by the Operation Commander of Operation ATALANTA, the Chief of Operations for Operation ASPIDES, the Head of Mission of EUCAP Somalia, and representatives of the European External Action Service (EEAS), European Commission services, and EU-funded capacity-building projects.
The meeting concluded with renewed commitments to tackle transnational maritime challenges through enhanced cooperation and resource mobilization.