The United States Department of State and Antigua and Barbuda's Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping (ADOMS) jointly hosted the Global Maritime Security and Sanctions Enforcement Symposium in St. John's from July 13 to 15, 2026.
The three-day symposium drew representatives from 26 countries, including ship registries, maritime authorities, international organizations, and global coalitions such as the Registry Information Sharing Compact (RISC). The gathering focused on strengthening enforcement of nonproliferation sanctions across the global maritime sector and cutting off revenue streams that rogue regimes rely on to fund weapons programmes and threaten international security.
Organisers emphasised that coordinated global enforcement raises the cost of sanctions evasion, reduces the number of actors willing to service shadow fleet vessels, and weakens proliferators' capacity to finance weapons development. The United States noted that it has sanctioned hundreds of vessels, entities, and individuals linked to illicit maritime networks, and described the symposium as a vehicle for deepening the international partnerships that amplify the impact of those measures.
The US State Department extended its thanks to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and ADOMS for their partnership in hosting the event, and reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside the global maritime community to enforce nonproliferation sanctions, disrupt proliferation financing, and uphold international norms.
