The workshop aims to promote the mechanisms of the fight against terrorism and trans-border maritime crimes, primarily the strengthening of a network for coordination and exchange of information. The representative of the IMO’s Secretary-General Chris Trelawny expressed his happiness in holding the workshop and his thanks and appreciation to the Saudi government for its constant support of the IMO. JEDDAH: The director-general of the Border Guard, Gen. Awad bin Eid Al-Balawi, inaugurated, on Monday, the high-level workshop for national contact points and training coordinators in the countries taking part in the Djibouti Code of Conduct and the Jeddah Amendments 2017. The workshop is hosted by the Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of the Border Guard in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It aims to promote the mechanisms of the fight against terrorism and trans-border maritime crimes, primarily the strengthening of a network for coordination and exchange of information. Al-Balawi stressed, during his opening speech, the interest of the Saudi Government led by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in consolidating security and stability on both the regional and international level, unifying efforts and promoting cooperation in the fight against terrorism and all forms of organized crime. This will help achieve stability and sustainable development in all countries. He also expressed the government’s will to keep the Kingdom’s partnership with the IMO in order to benefit from its expertise, as well as using it in the development of areas of training related to maritime security and safety. This would come in harmony with the aspirations and directives of the Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif to enhance practical field work and experiences, to benefit from successful global experiments in the management of land and maritime borders security, and to provide education and training to fight all kinds of crimes related to border security. In his speech, the representative of the IMO’s Secretary-General Chris Trelawny expressed his happiness in holding the workshop and his thanks and appreciation to the Saudi government for its constant support of the IMO. He also thanked the Minister of Interior for supporting the establishment of a strong partnership between the Organization and the Saudi Border Guard to promote maritime safety and security in the region through capacity building and training activities. Trelawny also stressed the Kingdom’s central and distinct role in developing the dimensions of maritime safety and security. This comes as a result of Saudi Arabia’s strategic and unique location on the main international shipping routes, the size and strength of its economy and its good and influential relations in the region. Al-Balawi was then unanimously elected as president of the workshop and Trelawny was elected as his vice president. The Border Guard spokesman clarified that the workshop includes representatives from 19 countries taking part in the Code of Conduct and representatives from four countries that did not sign the Code. There are also 12 international and regional bodies and 70 participants. The workshop’s outcomes are expected to have positive effects on maritime security and safety on the national, regional and international levels.