Hon Deputy Speaker, I move without notice:
That the House -
(1) notes that from 12 to 16 October 2009, the African Union, ministers of transport responsible for maritime transport will gather in Durban for a conference under the theme Creating a Safe, Secure and Clean Maritime Transport Industry in Africa;
(2) further notes that the main objective of the conference is to adopt a continental policy and strategic framework in the form of an updated African Maritime Transport Charter, and review the implementation of the 2007 Abuja Declaration and Plan of Action on Maritime Transport in Africa;
(3) acknowledges that the African maritime transport industry in particular is exposed to numerous challenges including the escalation of piracy activity, dumping of toxic waste and illegal fishing in its coastal waters;
(4) believes that the conference provides an opportunity for African countries to review the performance of the maritime transport industry in Africa and reflect on strategies to deal with the challenges facing our maritime transport industry; and
(5) wishes all the participants well during their deliberations. Agreed to.