The Theme of the Third Ministerial Conference is "Tightening the Net: Regional Cooperation to Eliminate Sub-Standard Shipping". At this Conference, the Ministers reviewed and assess the implementation level of actions identified at the Second Ministerial Conference of 2010 and agreed on further actions required to improve maritime safety and to help eliminate sub-standard shipping in Abuja MoU Region. The Ministerial Conference was held on March 28, 2018 and was preceded by the 9th PSCC meeting of Director Generals/CEOs of Maritime Administrations on the March 27, 2018 .
The high point of the Conference was the issuance of Ministerial Declaration by Ministers of Transportation in Abuja MoU region which include acknowledging the different challenges and needs within the Region, and that members States should further strengthen compliance with IMO and ILO instruments by enhancing the application of port State control and ensuring that appropriate action is taken in the following initiatives: