By Nathan Schaeffer, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

09:38 GMT, July 4, 2008 ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (NNS) | Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, addressed the first-ever Gulf Naval Commanders' Conference (GNC) in Abu Dhabi, July 2.

During his address, Vice Adm. Kevin J. Cosgriff discussed the challenges of the maritime environment, the new U.S. Maritime Strategy and the commitment of the U.S. Navy and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) to provide maritime security within the region through maritime security operations (MSO).

"From security arises stability, which in turn enables and enhances trade, promotes economic activity and increases local and global prosperity," said Cosgriff. "The maritime security we help provide allows regional business to thrive and provides a measure of assurance in an uncertain time."

The one-day international maritime security conference brought together more than 20 nations including the U.S., Russia, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Pakistan and various Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The GNC served as an important occasion for leaders to discuss strategic challenges, defense and security concepts, technological capabilities and prospects for cooperation in the maritime environment within the Middle East, specifically in the Gulf area.

Cosgriff also highlighted recent economic progress within the Persian Gulf and stressed that globalization has made all nations interdependent.

"We believe operations the coalition conducts are important because they help keep the seas safe and ensure the commerce and trade of the region is able to move freely," said Cosgriff.

"Conducting these operations in and around the Arabian Gulf sends a signal of security within the region that is commensurate with the area's global importance. That's the basic idea of maritime security operations, coalition nations working together in order to keep the maritime environment safe."

The Arabian Gulf is a body of water more commonly known as the Persian Gulf.

Last October, U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard leaders unveiled a new Maritime Strategy, "A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower," which stresses the centrality of the seas to national and global well-being. Cosgriff said the new strategy places a heavy emphasis on the prevention of war and global economic well-being.

"Clearly, the security, prosperity and vital interests of the United States are indisputably coupled to those of other nations," said Cosgriff. "Major power war, regional conflict, terrorism, lawlessness and natural disasters all have the potential to threaten not only a given nation's security but potentially world prosperity. In effect, a lack of security creates a lack of stability leading to a number of problems."

Coalition forces in the region are focused on conducting MSO, which help develop security in the maritime environment and promotes stability and global prosperity. These operations complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.