The 4th edition of the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) – 2023, organized by the Indian Navy in collaboration with the Naval War College, Goa, is set to convene from October 29 to October 31, 2023. GMC represents the Indian Navy’s dedicated outreach initiative, providing a multinational platform to harness the collective wisdom of maritime security practitioners and academia. The biennial event, with previous editions in 2017, 2019, and 2021, serves as a pivotal forum for the exchange of insights among Chiefs of Navy and Heads of Maritime Agencies. It addresses contemporary and future maritime challenges, emphasizing cooperative strategies to enhance interoperability among partner maritime agencies.
The theme for this year’s GMC is “Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean Region: Converting Common Maritime Priorities into Collaborative Mitigating Frameworks.” The theme underscores the necessity of synergy and collaboration in the maritime domain, focusing on achieving maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, will host Chiefs of Navies, Heads of Maritime Forces, and Senior Representatives from 12 Indian Ocean littorals, including Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Honorable Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh, has graciously consented to be the Chief Guest and will deliver the Keynote Address at GMC-23.
The Conclave will feature interactions with eminent speakers and subject matter experts across four sessions, focusing on the following:
- Identifying Gaps in Regulatory and Legal Frameworks for Achieving Maritime Security in the IOR.
- Formulation of a Common Multilateral Maritime Strategy and Operating Protocols for GMC Nations for Collective Mitigation of Maritime Threats and Challenges.
- Identification and Establishment of Collaborative Training Programs with Centers of Excellence across the IOR.
- Leveraging Activities Pursued Through Existing Multilateral Organizations in the IOR towards Generating Collective Maritime Competencies.
As part of the conclave, visiting dignitaries will have the opportunity to explore India’s indigenous shipbuilding industry at the “Make in India Exhibition” and witness indigenous warships, as well as capabilities of the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV).
In its fourth iteration, the Goa Maritime Conclave continues to work towards regional solutions for security challenges in the IOR, striving to become an ‘outcome-oriented’ forum that transforms Common Maritime Priorities into Collaborative Mitigating Frameworks.