The conference, hosted by Wilton Park and produced in partnership with RUSI, will bring together a range of high-level international participants - from governments, armed forces, security agencies, industry and academia to discuss issues including:

• What is the evolving nature of risks and threats in the maritime environment?
• What are current gaps in gathering, sharing and analysis of information concerning the maritime environment, and how can these gaps be filled?
• How might bilateral, regional and international legal frameworks for maritime security operations evolve?
• How can leading maritime powers and multinational organisations assist developing countries in building capacity for securing their coastal areas and Economic Exclusion Zones?

The conference programme is available at the Wilton Park website, but confirmed speakers to date include:

Military

Government

 

Military

• Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope (Commander-in-Chief Fleet, Royal Navy, and Commander, Allied Maritime Component Command, Northwood)
• Vice Admiral Pim Bedet (Deputy Commander, Allied Maritime Component Command, Northwood Headquarters)
• Rear Admiral Georg Larusson (Director General, Icelandic Coast Guard)
• Rear Admiral Phil Jones (Commander UK Maritime Force, and Commander EUNAVFOR)
• Rear Admiral (select) Chuck Michel USCG (Director, Maritime and Operational Law Division, United States Coast Guard)
• Captain Jan Torber Leisborch (Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations and Logistics) and Commander s.g. Felix Ebbestad (Branch Chief, International Operations), Royal Danish Navy
• Professor James Bergeron (Political Advisor, Striking Force NATO)

Government

• Simon Webb (Director General, Department for Transport, UK)
• Chris Holtby (Deputy Head, Security Policy Group - ESDP/NATO/Operations, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, UK)
• Chantal Poiret (Ambassador and Co-ordinator against Maritime Piracy, Foreign Ministry, France)
• Magnus Addico (Secretary General, Maritime Organisation for West & Central Africa)
• Tim Manhire (Executive Director, Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics)
• Dave Robertson and Rachel Quick (Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs, UK)
• Thomas Winkler (Acting Legal Advisor and Head of Department of International Law, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark)

Industry, Academe, Other

• Jan Kopernicki (Vice President Shipping, Shell International Trading and Shipping Company)
• Jean-Marie L'Huissier (Thales)
• Joshua Ho (Maritime Security Programme, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore)
• Peter Lehr (Senior Research Associate, Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, University of St Andrew's)
• Gavin Simmonds (Head of International Policy, Chamber of Shipping)
• Eric Thompson (Director, International Affairs Group, Center for Naval Analyses, US)

The conference is open to those with expertise to share or with an interest in the theme: the aim is to have a broad spread of nationalities and institutions represented. The registration fee of £1300 will cover all accommodation and meals, attendance at all sessions, and transport from and to Gatwick airport at the beginning and end of the conference. Special rates may be available for those from non-OECD countries, Central and SE Europe, and also academics and NGO representatives. RUSI Corporate Membership nominees are eligible for a 10% discount on the registration fee.

If you would like to book a place at the conference or would like more information about participation, and about local travel to Wilton Park, please contact: Ms Susan Linfield, Conference Administrator: +44 (0) 1903 817728 ; susan.linfield@wiltonpark.org.uk . See also www.wiltonpark.org.uk

If you would like further information regarding the programme, and speaking and sponsoring options therein, please contact:

• Dr Robert Grant (Programme Director, Wilton Park): +44 (0) 1903 817797 ; robert.grant@wilton.park.org.uk
• Dr Lee Willett (Head Maritime Studies Programme, RUSI): +44 (0) 20 7747 2611 ; dr.leewillett@rusi.org