|
Traditional security alliances are normally created
between governments to address specific security
challenges or to formalize military relationships. The
threat of transnational terrorism, proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction, dangers of environmental
damage and smuggling of arms, drugs or people create a setting
that goes beyond capabilities that can be addressed by
focused and formal security arrangements.
Providing security in the global commons is an endeavor
that will require significantly more than the resources
any one nation – or small grouping of nations – can
devote. Ensuring freedom of navigation and safety in
large, ungoverned areas of the world’s oceans will
require the cooperation of the international community –
both official and commercial. The detection and
interdiction of threats presented by transnational
terrorism requires the involvement and action of
like-minded nations and peoples working together to
achieve intersecting economic, environmental and security goals.
The limits of sovereignty are acknowledged and embraced
by the Cooperation, and define areas of specific
responsibility and control. However, the Cooperation
provides a communications framework under which nations
and companies can mutually coordinate responses to
universal challenges in the open oceans and littorals,
and contribute to enhanced security across the global
maritime domain.
The Cooperation for Global Maritime Security informally
aligns military, government security and commercial
resources to provide for broader exchange of
information. It provides a forum for the discussion of
issues that reach beyond regional concerns and helps
close gaps and seams between regions and organizations.
Additionally, it links international commercial maritime
organizations with other efforts such as the biennial
International Seapower Symposium to keep interested
parties abreast of current issues, developments and
ongoing initiatives that have an impact on broader
maritime security.
|
