Regional meeting on maritime borders in Lomé

The Togolese capital, Lomé, has been hosting a regional meeting dedicated to border demarcation and the collaborative management of maritime areas since October 21. This event brings together representatives from West African coastal countries, maritime law experts, and international partners.

The initiative is being orchestrated by the High Council for the Sea (HCM), in collaboration with the German Cooperation (GIZ) and the African Union. Over the course of four days, participants will have the opportunity to discuss several crucial topics:

• The legal regime applicable to maritime areas.
• Methods of delimiting maritime boundaries.
• The technical aspects related to this delimitation.

The main objective of this meeting is to create a platform for exchanges and sharing of experiences, while contributing to the development of a continental guide on the management and delimitation of maritime spaces.

Stanislas Baba, Minister Counselor for the Sea to the President of the Council, emphasized the importance of this initiative: "Africa has 39 coastal countries, but very few have demarcated their maritime areas. We must talk, negotiate, and cooperate to avoid tensions. Clearly defined borders do not separate people; they bring them together."

For several years, Togo has been committed to strengthening its maritime governance and promoting a sustainable blue economy. Legal and institutional tools have been put in place to regulate the exploitation of maritime resources and prevent potential conflicts.

Therese V.