Djibouti Code of Conduct / Jeddah Amendment (DCOC/JA) is a group of 18 member states near the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, the East coast of Africa, and Island countries in the Indian Ocean Rim(IOR) coming together for maritime (navy) matters.
Japan, Norway, UK, and US are the Observers to this group.
India has now joined this coveted group, thus giving a boost to its Indian Ocean region outreach.
The DCOC was established in 2009 with the aim of improving regional co-ordination and co-operation to increase maritime security, curb piracy (the practice of attacking and robbing ships at sea) and armed-robbery.
It also provides an outline for capacity building (strengthening skills) in the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean.