UN Calls for Strategy on Piracy

UN News

19 October 2011

UN Calls for Strategy on Piracy

West Africa: Ban Calls for Integrated Strategy Against Maritime Piracy in Gulf of Guinea

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged States and regional organizations in West Africa's Gulf of Guinea to develop a comprehensive and integrated strategy to combat maritime piracy, which he said threatens to hinder economic development and undermine security in the region.

"The threat is compounded because most Gulf [of Guinea] States have limited capacity to ensure safe maritime trade, freedom of navigation, the protection of marine resources and the safety and security of lives and property," Mr. Ban told the Security Council during an open debate on piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

He said he was aware of plans by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convene a summit on the issue and the intention of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to hold an international conference.