Assembly/AU/Dec.593(XXVI) Page 1 DECISION ON THE EXTRAORDINARY AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT ON MARITIME SECURITY AND SAFETY AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA The Assembly, 1. RECALLS its Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.583(XXV) on the Report of the Peace and Security Council on its Activities and the State of Peace and Security in Africa adopted in Johannesburg, and in particular , paragraph 22 relating to the extraordinary African Union Summit on Maritime Security and Safety and Development in Africa to be held in Lome, Togo, adopted at its Twenty-fifth Ordinary Session held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 2015; relating to; 2. TAKES NOTE of the postponement of the Extraordinary Summit scheduled for Lome, Togo to ensure adequate preparations; 3. DECIDES to hold the said Summit on 15 October 2016 in Lome, Togo, to be preceded by the preparatory session of the Permanent Representatives Committee and of the Executive Council; 4. REQUESTS the Commission to expedite the preparations, in collaboration with government experts and relevant Specialized Technical Committees (STCs), including the review of relevant documents with a view to ensuring the development, adoption and signing of an African Charter on Maritime Security and Safety and Development at the said Summit; 5. WELCOMES, in this regard, the offer by the Government of Togo to host a preparatory meeting of one of the relevant Specialized Technical Committee; 6. REQUESTS the Commission to report on the implementation of this decision to the next ordinary session of the Assembly, through the Executive Council, in July 2017.