Brazil: Gyakye Quayson wants stronger maritime cooperation, inclusion of UN resolution at South Atlantic meeting

Honourable James Gyakye Quayson, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, led Ghana’s delegation to the IX Ministerial Meeting of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic (ZOPACAS), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from April 7 to 10, 2026.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in key areas, including maritime security, ocean governance, climate change, transnational illicit activities, global commons, and peace and security in the South Atlantic.

Addressing the session, the Deputy Minister called for the inclusion of United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/80/250 in the meeting’s final declaration. He also advocated for enhanced maritime cooperation between the Yaoundé Architecture in the Gulf of Guinea and ZOPACAS member states across the South Atlantic, aimed at improving information sharing and coordinated security operations.

He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to preserving the South Atlantic as a Zone of Peace and highlighted the broader impact of maritime insecurity on international shipping routes, global trade flows, and economic stability.