27 October 2010
A workshop for Kenyan government officials, which was delivered by the Commonwealth Secretariat’s maritime boundary specialists |
Clear boundaries will have important implications for maritime security, shipping, environmental protection, fishing and offshore resource exploration
The Commonwealth Secretariat is assisting the Government of the Republic of Kenya to prepare for maritime boundary negotiations with Somalia.
Establishing clear maritime boundaries with Somalia will have important implications for maritime security, shipping, environmental protection, fishing and offshore resource exploration in the region.
The assistance follows the successful lodgement of Kenya’s extended continental shelf submission in 2009, and focuses on building knowledge and expertise concerning the delimitation of maritime boundaries.
As part of the project, a workshop for government officials was delivered by the Commonwealth Secretariat’s maritime boundary specialists.
What are maritime boundaries?
Maritime boundaries are established between States by agreement. This is important to settle overlapping maritime claims and to define the areas of ocean space over which States can exercise their sovereign rights. |
The workshop was opened by the Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security, Professor George Saitoti MP, and hosted by the Kenyan Solicitor-General, Wanjuki Muchemi. The workshop was also attended by several departmental heads as well as other senior officials, academics and business figures, and drew substantial media attention.
Paul Hibberd, who leads the Kenya project, praised the commitment of the government in supporting the workshop. “Reaching agreement on the boundary with Somalia will be critical to securing Kenya’s territorial integrity. It also opens up opportunities for the future sustainable development of the country,” said Mr Hibberd.
“The support of all government agencies in preparing for and conducting negotiations will be essential to maximising the strength of Kenya’s negotiating position.”
The Secretariat’s participation at this workshop drew praise from the Kenyan Government, including at the recently concluded Senior Law Officials Meeting held at Marlborough House, in London, where the Secretariat outlined the recent achievements of the maritime boundaries programme.
Source: Commonwealth Secretariat