which includes a new pillar 3 aiming to foster closer cooperation between customs administrations and other government agencies involved in the international trade supply chain. Other areas of progress included the implementation of AEO programmes and an increasing
number of bilateral MRAs that will, in due course, form the basis for the recognition of AEOs at a multilateral level. As regards suppression of piracy and armed robbery, positive developments were noted in the waters off the coast of Somalia and the wider western Indian Ocean. However, concern remained about the seafarers still being held hostage.