U.S.-Morocco International Transshipment Conference

• On May 20-22, 2008 the U.S. – Morocco International Transshipment Conference took place in Tangier.

• Participants from 20 countries around the world attended.

• The conference was opened by the U.S. Ambassador to Morocco, the Honorable Thomas T. Riley, and the Keynote was delivered by the Director General of Tangier-Med Special Agency, Mr. Said El-Hadi.

• At the conference on May 20, the Government of Morocco reaffirmed its commitment to non-proliferation programs and initiatives, including the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GI). This week, it also separately announced its decision to endorse the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI).

• As trade becomes increasingly globalized, it is no longer enough for governments simply to take measures to control the export of sensitive goods produced in their country. They must also be vigilant to prevent proliferators from exploiting their ports to transit or transship weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their means of delivery, related dual-use items, and advanced conventional arms to terrorists or countries of concern.

• The International Transshipment Conference focused on identifying the special proliferation challenges faced by transshipment countries and ways in which legal, licensing, and enforcement actions can help meet those challenges. Discussions and presentations also considered the broader context of ways in which the international community can work together to strengthen their strategic trade controls and border security, consistent with the mandate of United Nations Security Council Resolutions, including UNSCR 1540.
• Coordination for this Conference is provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS).