Spain has assumed the presidency of the European Coastguard Functions Forum (ECGFF) of the European Union (EU). From this moment until 2027, Spain will be responsible for coordinating, through the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine, the working groups and meetings of this body, which brings together more than 24 national coastguard authorities from EU and Schengen Area associated countries.

The Director General of the Merchant Marine and President of Maritime Rescue, Ana Núñez, received the presidency from the Commander General of the Port Captaincies Corps (Italy), Sergio Liardo, at the 2026 plenary session, which is being held this week in Catania, Sicily. Our representatives are the Director of the Centro Jovellanos, Julián Camus, and Néstor Perales, Head of Air Inspection. We also participated in an aerial exercise with the Sasemar 101 aircraft.

The Director General thanked the Italian Government for its support during the transition process and affirmed that the Forum is a space for collaboration, both internally and internationally.

In Spain, the Forum includes various agencies with responsibilities in the area of ​​coast guard operations, such as the General Secretariat for Fisheries, the Deputy Directorate of Customs Surveillance (DAVA), the Civil Guard, the Navy, Maritime Rescue, and the Directorate General for the Merchant Marine.

The Spanish presidency will be based on this spirit of collaboration to address the new challenges posed by emerging technologies, digitalization, cybersecurity, and resilience, which are transforming the functions of the Coast Guard.

The European Coast Guard Functions Forum (ECGFF) of the European Union is an autonomous, non-binding, voluntary, and independent forum, promoted by the European Commission through DG MARE, which aims to foster understanding and development of maritime issues of common interest related to coast guard functions.

The presidency lasts for one year and is responsible for coordinating the forum's activities. In the case of Spain, the following sessions will be held:
EMSA 16-17 FEBRUARY-LISBOA 
FRONTEX 3-4 MARCH-GIJON 
EFCA 14-15 APRIL-TORREMOLINOS 
PLENARY 4-6 OCTOBER-CADIZ