IMO helps strengthen international resolve to tackle piracy

Despite unprecedented efforts to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia, pirates had expanded their reach and had become more violent and technically adept, and international actors must redouble their efforts to solve the problem in the context of an overall solution to the Somalia crisis, a senior United Nations political affairs official told the Security Council this afternoon.

“The fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia can only be won through an integrated strategy that tackles deterrence, security the rule of law and development”, Taye-Brook Zerihoun, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, said as he introduced the Secretary-General’s reports on piracy in the region (document S/2011/662) and on the natural resources and waters of Somalia (document S/2011/661).  “Counter piracy efforts should be an integral element of the Somalia peace process,” he added.

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