Regional seminars

The issues facing a West African country are not those of a Pacific country. Regional seminars make it possible to adapt the discussion to local realities: forms of trafficking, institutional constraints, training needs.

They also create local networks between neighbouring administrations, which are more effective for cross-border cooperation.

The Nairobi office for Africa, the Singapore office for Asia-Pacific and the New York office for the Americas design the programme with a local committee of experts. They handle logistics, reception and follow-up.

Each office has a contact person who can advise delegations on preparing their visit.

The seminars are aimed mainly at customs, law enforcement, museums, cultural authorities and market professionals of the region. Working languages are adapted: French and English in Africa, English in Asia-Pacific, English and Spanish in the Americas.

Interpretation is provided so that everyone can speak in their own language.

A seminar lasts two days. The first is devoted to the regional overview and feedback from experience. The second is more practical: workshops, case simulations, a visit to a conservation site or a border post.

It concludes with recommendations adopted at the closing session and forwarded to the Events Directorate.

The recommendations feed into the regional action plan, the OIMAP Academy training programmes and, where appropriate, the proposals submitted to the General Assembly. A review is presented at the following seminar.

Participants form a follow-up group that communicates through secure messaging and meets online every quarter.