In a powerful call for unified action against evolving maritime threats, Major Zuhuur Fathi Mukhtar of the Somaliland Coast Guard (SLCG) shared insights from a landmark three-day international conference that convened over 30 nations, elite military units, emergency response agencies, and leading global defense industry firms.
The event, concluding with cutting-edge international exhibitions, underscored the critical need for cross-border partnerships to safeguard vital maritime routes.“It was an honor to participate in this pivotal gathering,” Major Zuhuur stated. “With representatives from over 30 countries, diverse armed forces, emergency management bodies, and pioneering defense companies, we forged actionable strategies to address pressing challenges head-on.”
Held in a strategic hub amid rising geopolitical tensions in key shipping lanes, the conference spanned three intensive days of deliberations, focusing on critical maritime issues:
- Maritime Risk Management and Global Cooperation: Experts explored strategies for militaries and governments to enhance threat detection and response, emphasizing real-time intelligence sharing to counter piracy, smuggling, and illicit trafficking in high-risk zones.
- Training and Equipping for Resilience: Discussions centered on strengthening personnel readiness and technological capabilities to overcome challenges, from climate-induced disruptions to hybrid warfare tactics, ensuring control in unpredictable environments.
- Vessel Safety and AI Innovations: Sessions highlighted artificial intelligence for enhanced ship protection, alongside protocols for maritime hazard mitigation, search-and-rescue missions, and recovery of personnel and assets at sea. Panelists showcased AI-driven predictive analytics, which could reduce response times by up to 40%, based on recent North Atlantic trials.
Major Zuhuur, a trailblazing veteran of Gulf of Aden operations and Head of Training and Gender Focal Point since joining the SLCG in 2016, emphasized Somaliland’s pivotal role. “Our coast guard is at the forefront, leveraging AI for both surveillance and life-saving interventions,” she said.
The Somaliland delegation, alongside allies like the UK and Taiwan, advocated for expanded joint exercises, building on successes from earlier 2025 summits, such as the Combined Maritime Forces gathering in Bahrain. This aligns with the “Safe and Secure Seas” theme of Singapore’s 9th International Maritime Security Conference in May.
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The summit’s exhibitions showcased innovations, from drone swarms for border patrol to blockchain-secured cargo tracking, drawing interest from firms like BAE Systems and Leonardo. Attendees committed to a new “Maritime AI Accord,” aiming to standardize technology adoption across NATO and Indo-Pacific partners by 2027.
With global trade volumes projected to exceed 12 billion tons annually by 2030, experts warn that unchecked threats could cost the world economy $50 billion yearly. Major Zuhuur’s participation signals Somaliland’s steadfast commitment: “The seas connect us all. In unity, we secure them for generations to come.