Anti-piracy measures must start with helping Somalia stabilize, UN hears

Strengthening the rule of law is the critical factor to effectively tackling piracy in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles told the General Assembly today, saying the world’s countries have a shared responsibility to deal with the problem.

Ronald Jumeau, Permanent Representative of Seychelles, told the final day of the Assembly’s annual high-level segment that his country was pleased that many States were becoming increasingly engaged in efforts to deal with piracy in the region.

He stressed that the “root cause of the problem lies within Somalia; the long-term solution lies in strengthening the rule of law within Somalia.”

Mr. Jumeau said it was important to take steps to ensure that piracy is not an economically viable activity, starting with enhancing coordination and information-sharing among the States of the region.

“We must share information to ensure we are always ahead of the pirates by keeping vessels beyond their reach,” he said.

“We must ensure there is enough deterrence in terms of military assets in the region. Seychelles alone has an exclusive economic zone of 1.4 million square kilometres to patrol and protect, something we would not be able to do effectively without the help of friendly countries.”

In his address to the Assembly today, Grenada’s Foreign Minister Peter David highlighted the need to protect the waters of the Caribbean Sea from the transport of waste materials. He called for the General Assembly to strengthen the resolution on the issue.

“The States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other members of the Association of Caribbean States depend on the tremendous benefits from the pristine waters of the Caribbean Sea,” Mr. David said.

“Yet these ocean-based resources are threatened by the trans-shipment of nuclear and other hazardous waste materials through our waters.”