Between September 23 and 27, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB) participated in the XXXI Inter-American Naval Conference (CNI), whose central theme in 2024 was “Naval challenges and strategies to ensure operational readiness for new technologies and the expansion of navies' responsibilities: strategic planning, doctrinal development, and professional training in the medium and long term.”
In addition to the host country's naval forces, the event was attended by representatives of the navies of several countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Ecuador, the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Netherlands, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay, as well as representatives of the IADB and the Inter-American Naval Telecommunications Network (RNIT).
The CNI, created in 1959, began when the navies of the nations of the Americas were invited to participate in the biennial Conference of Chiefs of Missions of the U.S. Navy. Since 1962, the IADB has participated as an observer, offering advice and developing initiatives that contribute to maritime security solutions, in addition to promoting hemispheric solidarity and increasing awareness of the defense situation.
At the XXXI edition, the IADB was represented by Admiral Paulo Ozório, future Vice Director of the Inter-American Defense College (IADC); Captain Francesconi, Chief of the Hemispheric Situation Section of the General Secretariat of the IADB; and Mr. Rafael Parada, Chief of the Supply Reduction Unit of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) – OAS.
During the event, the IADB presented the progress of the work initiated after the last CNI, held in Lima, Peru, in September 2022. With the support of the continent's Navies, efforts were promoted related to the creation of the Safe Sea App web tool and the preparation of a Guide to Good Maritime Practices, which will have the valuable contribution of CICAD and the collaboration of CID.
