UAE urges nations to unite in piracy fight

DUBAI // The UAE has called on nations to join the fight against piracy and terrorism to prevent groups from gaining strength and threatening regional and global stability.

“We must come together to help countries stand on their feet to fight piracy and terrorism,” Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, told delegates on the inaugural day of the fourth UAE Counter-Piracy conference that began in Dubai on Wednesday.

“We must understand the reasons for terrorism and stop them [terrorists] from solidifying relationships with other terrorist groups, such as traffickers, and prevent them from using transport channels such as the Sea of Oman. This we can achieve through continued public and private partnership that we are using to fight piracy in Somalia.”

The links between piracy, organised crime and terrorism will be addressed in sessions during the two-day conference.

Terrorist and radical groups such as Al Shabab foment instability and are partners in maritime crime, Sheikh Abdullah said, adding that strengthening the rule of law and effective governance in Somalia supported by the international community would stem the growth of terrorist organisations.

“We see the operation of different terrorist groups such as Al Shabab and we have to ask ourselves how are we prepared as states, associations and companies to fight such challenges in the future?” he said.

“The Al Shabab militants, like any terrorist group, act against the state, government officials. Greater co-operation to address economic challenges and provide for the people of Somalia will lead to curbing Al Shabab and other such organisations.”

Sheikh Abdullah acknowledged that naval patrols and maritime companies training seafarers to stay vigilant had helped to drastically reduce piracy attacks.

There were 51 hijackings off the Somali coast in 2009 and the figure in 2012 dropped to seven.

While no vessels are currently being held by Somali pirates, 37 seafarers are still captive.

“We must work together to release them and support their families,” Sheikh Abdullah said. “We must raise the level of information sharing between our countries and also provide support to seafarers and their families who still suffer from shock and require our care.”

The direct cost of combating piracy was estimated at about US$6 billion in 2012. That figure halved to about US$3bn (Dh11.01bn) this year, according to advocacy group Oceans Beyond Piracy.

Abdirahman Duale Beyle, Somalia’s minister of foreign affairs, urged nations to set up schools and provide jobs for young men who were enticed into crime and piracy not just because of poverty but also a lack of opportunity.

“Youngsters are trying to look for livelihood and young people without purpose can be dangerous,” he said. “Young people are being used to fight and they are the ones dying. In the case of piracy also it is the young in the forefront, boys between 10 and 17 years old.

“Poverty is evil, illegal and dangerous and together we must put a stop to it. ”

The UAE has provided humanitarian aid to Somalia and assistance to help strengthen its security.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the chairman of DP World, said successes in reducing piracy off Somalia’s coast could be used to provide safe passage to ships in the Gulf of Guinea.

“Seafarers continue to be the victims and 45 have lost their lives in the Gulf of Guinea,” he said. “We must learn from our efforts in Somalia.”

Unlike Somali pirates, who are focused on ransom, pirate attacks off West Africa are more violent and lethal.

rtalwar@thenational.ae