Global Leaders to deliberate on pressing concerns of International Maritime Security at the Gujarat National Law University’s Global Maritime Security and Anti-Piracy Conference (GMSAC) 2011.

The Global Maritime Security and Anti-Piracy Conference (GMSAC) 2011, yet another mega international endeavour of the Gujarat National Law University has taken-off with a grand inauguration today, on the 26th November 2011.

GNLU is pleased to collaborate with the Gujarat Maritime Board, Corporation Bank, Canara Bank,  Adani Group of Companies, Cambay Hotels & Resorts (Gandhinagar) and Reliance Industries in this stellar initiative. As a testimony to its massive outreach, GMSAC 2011 has confirmed participation from more than 40 countries across all the seven continents of the world and various international organizations including, but not limited to, the United Nations Organization (UNO), International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the North-Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

In a sea of conferences organized in the buzzing international arena, GMSAC 2011 is a sui-generis novel initiative of the Gujarat National Law University, and by virtue of its pertinence and magnitude, is the first gargantuan international conference in India organized on an academic platform.

The GMSAC 2011 commenced with a grand inauguration today, 26th November 2011, graced by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi, as the Chief Guest of the stellar occasion, who addressed the august gathering on “Maritime Security and Anti-Piracy”. Other Guests of Honour, who graced the dias, included H.E Ambassador Sudhir Devare, Director general, ICWA; Hon'ble Justice Mr. Duncan Gaswaga, Head Criminal Justice Unit, Supreme Court of Seycelles; Mr. B.K. Sinha, H.E Ms. Ebyan Mahammed Salah, Ambassador, Embassy of Republic of Somalia and Ambassador His Excellency Thomas Winkler, Chairman, Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, Denmark; enlightened the audience on the myriad volatile intricacies of Maritime Security and Anti-Piracy initiatives.

 Mr. Bimal N. Patel, Director, Gujarat National Law University welcomed the august gathering emphasizing on the relevance and paramount importance of the theme of the conference. The other distinguished guests also delivered highly insightful keynote addresses on myriad facets of Maritime Security.

Mr. Sudhir Devare delivered a highly thought-provoking and action-oriented address on Maritime Security and Anti-piracy mechanisms in the Indian Ocean region. Stressing on the persistent commitment of India as a concerned global player in combating the evils faced by the maritime environment he rightly remarked that augmentation of maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region after the Mumbai Blasts (occurring exactly on the same day) inferno which was strategized and planned via the maritime environment, is the quintessential need of the hour.

 Ambassador Thomas Winkler candidly remarked that the international legal framework on Maritime Security is effective enough whereas the challenge ahead of us is to focus on enforceability and implementation of an effective national legal framework to combat this evil that knows no boundaries. He also emphasized on the importance of prison facilities to facilitate effective prosecution of pirates.

 Justice Duncan Gaswaga, Supreme Court of Seychelles, explicated on the anti-piracy mechanism scenario prevalent in Seychelles and also enlisted the legal challenges to the fight against piracy predominantly with regard to prosecution and evidence.

H.E Ebyan Muhamed Salah, Ambassador from the Transitional Federal Govt. of Somalia emphasized on the need to reinstate stability in Somalia in order to facilitate an effective combat against piracy. She stated a common somalian's take on piracy which reflected the extensive and massive outreach of this evil which prevails like " a complete city of the nights on the seas of Somalia!" She also enlisted the other challenges with regard to prosecution and evidence. Thereafter the respective members of the dias delivered keynote addresses on various issues.

Whether or not a coincidence 26 November, is the same inauspicious day imprinted on the minds of every humanitarian person of this world. Shri Devre regarded this very date as the most appropriate for the Global Maritime Security & Anti Piracy Conference because the terrorists who created havoc in Mumbai three years ago had entered the city through unregulated sea routes and coastline.

Ambassador Thomas Winkler categorically regarded that a mere international collision among states is not sufficient to ensure counter piracy arrangements. He stated, that, "the solution lies in the translation of International law into National Law. There is a need of power correspondence in national legal systems."

Just because they are criminals does not mean they aren't human beings, was the message from Hon'ble Justice Mr. Duncan Gaswaga, who is a veteran judge who has presided over many cases of Piracy. Even pirates are entitled to a fair trial and they should be brought to justice.

The magnanimous Chief Minister of Hon'ble Mr. Narendra Modi enlightened the august gathering on various realistic and idealistic solutions to the problem of Maritime Security. Yet again, The Gujarat Model stands as an example for the rest of the world. Shri Nrendra Modi, began with his insight on the glorious historical and geographical significance of Gujarat in the Maritime scenario of the world. Gujarat has the largest coastline in the country and serves as a gateway of India to various parts of the Globe like Europe, Africa, etc. He also emphasized on the importance of Maritime Security to ensure the flourishing of trade and commerce. Shri Narendra Modi is always of the view that the problem should be approached at the grass root level. He advocated for the Development and Capacity Building of the Maritime Community followed by Technological advancement. His 21st Century vision along with compassionate approach  is perhaps the most noteworthy reason for making Gujarat what it is today or it shall be in the future. His immense knowledge on the real modus operandi of the transnational violence and problems of piracy has been instrumental in devising programs such as the Sagar Khedu Yojna, State of the Art Vessel Trafficking Technology, Maritime Commando Unit and the ambitious project of Maritime Police Academy. Hon'ble Chief Minister stated that the Gujarat Government is committed to make the waters of Gujarat Safe and welcoming.

For the next couple of days, a series of intellectual deliberations shall prevail between scholars and academicians drawn from diverse nationalities including but not limited to Seychelles, Kenya, Germany, Denmark, Argentina, UK, Bosnia, Mexico et cetera on pressing concerns of international maritime security and anti-piracy.

All in all, GMSAC 2011 has taken-off as an earnest endeavour of the Gujarat National Law University as its humble contribution to ensure global intellectual exchange and deliberation on the diverse pressing concerns of the contemporary world, like Maritime Security, and thereby augment global wellness and harmony.