Banjul: On 30th July 2026, the European Union (EU) Delegation to The Gambia, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Gambian national stakeholders, held a two-day national validation workshop on the Maritime Crime Legal Assessment Report at the OceanBay Hotel in Banjul. According to European Union, the initiative forms part of the £20 million EU-funded Safe Seas for Africa program, which aims to strengthen maritime legal frameworks, counter drug and arms smuggling, and combat piracy across West and Central Africa. The workshop builds on progress from The Gambia's 2025 criminal law amendments by reviewing critical gaps in prosecuting offenses at sea and establishing concrete technical assistance needed for national agencies. This initiative will directly safeguard The Gambia's territorial waters, boost sustainable blue economy growth, and protect its shores from transnational criminal networks. In his opening statement, Deputy Head of Mission of the EU Delegation to The G ambia, Raphaël Brigandi, highlighted the shared security threat by stating that The Gambia's coastline makes it a tempting route for criminal activity, especially for drugs moving to and from Europe and for illegal migration towards the Canary Islands. He emphasized that securing maritime routes off the coast of West Africa is a shared goal and that investing in The Gambia's maritime defenses is essential for mutual economic growth and stability. He noted that without a strong criminal justice chain, efforts at sea to arrest criminals could be undermined. Mrs. Coumba Diop, UNODC Head of Programme Office in The Gambia, emphasized the workshop's significance as a milestone in UNODC's engagement to support The Gambia's criminal justice system in addressing maritime insecurity. She stated that the goal is not only to present the legal assessment report but to strategically map and optimize the assistance required to strengthen The Gambia's fight against maritime crime. Deputy National Security Adviser Saikou Ce esay reaffirmed the national resolve on behalf of the Government of the Republic of The Gambia by highlighting the importance of the maritime economy to sustainable economic development. He noted that ensuring safety for maritime trade to thrive remains crucial. Ceesay commended UNODC and expressed gratitude to the European Union for its support through both the previous SWAIMS framework and the current Safe Seas for Africa project. He assured full commitment to implementing the outcomes of the assessment and furthering the strong partnership. The partnership actively delivers concrete operational support to Gambian forces, including joint regional sea patrols, specialized technical training, and the recent delivery of two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats to the Gambian Navy.