The General Directorate of the Merchant Marine, under the Ministry of Transportation and Sustainable Mobility, has taken over the presidency of the European Coast Guard Functions Forum (ECGFF) of the European Union. Throughout 2027, it will coordinate the working groups and meetings of an organization that brings together more than 24 national coast guard authorities from EU countries and Schengen Area partner countries.
Ana Núñez, Director General of the Merchant Marine and President of Maritime Search and Rescue, was sworn in as president by Sergio Liardo, Commander-in-Chief of the Italian Port Authorities. The ceremony took place during the 2026 plenary session, which is being held this week in Catania, Sicily.
In his remarks, Núñez thanked the Italian government for its support during the transition process and defended the Forum as a space for collaboration, both domestically and internationally. “In Spain, Coast Guard functions are carried out by five different authorities belonging to five different ministries. Each has its own responsibilities, its own expertise, and, of course, its own areas of jurisdiction. But we share the same commitment, the same responsibility at sea: to make it safer and more sustainable. Different jurisdictions, different authorities, but a shared responsibility at sea,” he noted.
That model, he added, is replicated at the international level: “I believe that is one of the great strengths of this Forum, as it gives us the opportunity to pool our knowledge, experiences, and capabilities, while fully respecting the responsibilities of each authority and each member state.”
Various Spanish agencies with jurisdiction in this area are participating in the Forum: the General Secretariat for Fisheries, the Deputy Directorate of Customs Surveillance (DAVA), the Civil Guard, the Navy, Maritime Search and Rescue, and the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine itself.
Technology, Cybersecurity, and Resilience
The Spanish presidency will draw on this spirit of collaboration to address the challenges posed by new technologies, digitalization, cybersecurity, and resilience—factors that are transforming the role of coast guards. “We want to explore these challenges together and, above all, turn our reflections into practical and tangible cooperation,” said Núñez.
The European Forum on Coast Guard Functions is an autonomous, non-binding, voluntary, and independent body promoted by the European Commission through DG MARE. Its objective is to foster understanding and development of maritime issues of common interest related to coast guard functions. EMSA, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), and the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) convene the meetings and participate as observers.
The 2027 Calendar
The presidency lasts for one year, and in the case of Spain, the sessions will be as follows:
- EMSA: February 16 and 17, in Lisbon
- FRONTEX: March 3 and 4, in Gijón
- EFCA: April 14 and 15, in Torremolinos
- Plenary Session: October 4–6, in Cádiz
