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Curtain closes on EU CRIMARIO’s first IORIS training |19 April 2018

 

 

A group of 16 participants from Seychelles, Kenya, Madagascar and Seychelles are now certified trainers of the Indian Ocean Regional Information and Incident Management Network, referred to as IORIS.

IORIS is a new web based information sharing tool developed by the European Union’s CRIMARIO (Critical Maritime Routes Indian Ocean) programme and its regional partners.

The tool seeks to enable and facilitate information sharing and manage incidents concerning maritime security on a national and regional level.

It was borne out of the necessity to respond to the threats of crimes and incidents at sea such as piracy, terrorism and drug trafficking especially given the growing emphasis on the development of the blue economy.

To prepare the launch of IORIS, the first training was held in Seychelles between April 16-18 to introduce and familiarise the 16 participants with features of the IORIS tool hence enabling them to train others on how to use IORIS.

The training officially concluded yesterday with a certificate presentation ceremony attended by the French ambassador to the Seychelles and EU representative Lionel Majesté-Larrouy, component manager of training and capacity at CRIMARIO Olivier Bézier, liaison officer of EU-NAVFRO Lieutenant Commander Norton and various other guests.

“This course marks the beginning of IORIS which is no longer a concept but a tangible system which would be ready for deployment early in July,” Mr Bézier revealed during his address to the attendees.

Mr Bézier added that the training course was also an opportunity for CRIMARIO to test out the web tool before it is launched and the tool will be continually enhanced thanks to the feedbacks of the trainees.

He concluded by congratulating the participants for their commitment during this training and group testing.

The ceremony continued with a brief speech by Seychellois participant Ronny Matatiken who gave an overview of his experience during the training.

This was followed by Ambassador Majesté-Larrouy who stated: “As the local President of the European Union in Seychelles, I am pleased to see the progress of European programmes in the Indian Ocean zone.”

“I note that the IORIS component is now in its final phase, which is already able to operate and that it is a tool adapted to the needs of the personnel and administrations working in the field of maritime safety. Once finalised and transferred to the countries in the zone, it will support both the national centres and the regional architecture that is gradually being put in place.”

Not all countries in the Indian Ocean are keen to embark on the IORIS information sharing project however, with some expressing security concerns.

Mr Bézier was quick to point out that IORIS is equipped with state of the art encryptions which will be used for the sharing of maritime security information rather than military sensitive security details.

He further stated that the IORIS platform will solely be maintained and used by the Indian Ocean countries in the near future.

 

 

 

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