New York, July 8: The United Arab Emirates joined over 80 countries, international organizations, and companies at the United Nations in New York on July 7-8 for the 18^th Plenary of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. Chaired by the European Union, the plenary focused on major policy areas such as capacity building in the region off the coast of Somalia anti-piracy operations, mitigation actions by the international community and the disruption of piracy networks ashore.

New York, July 8 : The United Arab Emirates joined over 80 countries, international organizations, and companies at the United Nations in New York on July 7-8 for the 18^th Plenary of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia.

Chaired by the European Union, the plenary focused on major policy areas such as capacity building in the region off the coast of Somalia anti-piracy operations, mitigation actions by the international community and the disruption of piracy networks ashore.

The UAE delegation co-chaired with Japan and the Seychelles the Working Group on Maritime Counter-Piracy and Mitigation Operations. Members discussed activities of the key developments in the area of Maritime Counter-piracy and Mitigation Operations. As part of its role as a co-chair, the UAE delegation provided a briefing on the latest threat assessment on the high-risk area.

On Wednesday, Deputy Director of the International Security Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mohammed Ali Al Shamsi read the UAE national statement, highlighting the country’s contributions to the Federal Government of Somalia to build its capacity in order to counter piracy and terrorism.

“We have steadily worked to build capacity among regional governments. We have maintained our support for our Somali partners, to ensure that they have the tools to expand stability and the rule of law throughout their country, “he said.

Al Shamsi emphasized that the UAE will remain committed towards providing the Federal Government of Somalia with training and development assistance to ensure peace and prosperity for all Somali people.

Speaking on the progress made by the Somali government and its international partners to re-establish control in pirate havens, Al Shamsi noted that although the threat to commercial vessels has greatly diminished, there is still much to be done to expand economic opportunities and provide alternative livelihoods to potential pirate recruits.

“The international community should enhance its capacity-building efforts in helping Somalia develop its own counter-piracy capability and strengthen its rule of law,” he said. He further cautioned that the “threat of piracy at sea will not cease until the conditions on the land addressed”.

The Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPSC) was created on January 14, 2009, pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1851. It coordinates political, military, and non-governmental efforts to tackle piracy off the coast of Somalia, ensure that pirates are brought to justice, and supports regional states to develop sustainable maritime security capabilities.