"Piracy is a global menace. We need to confront it with a strategy that focuses on deterrence, security, the rule of law and development. I commend the International Maritime Organization for its efforts to strengthen global cooperation on this challenge."Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 3 February 2011
Theme for 2011 World Maritime Day - Piracy: orchestrating the response
The official logo for World Maritime Day, 2011.
2011 World Maritime Day is observed this year during the week of 26 to 30 September and is being celebrated at the International Maritime Organization's Headquarters on Thursday, 29 September 2011.
The theme for World Maritime Day 2011 is selected to enable IMO not only to focus and intensify its efforts to meet the challenges of modern-day piracy but also to facilitate the orchestration of a broader, global response aimed at eradicating the scourge. Consequently, the following objectives will be pursued during the year:
- Increase pressure at the political level to secure the immediate release of all hostages being held by pirates – seafarers, in the main;
- Review and improve guidance to the industry and promote full compliance by ships with all recommended preventive, evasive and defensive measures;
- Promote greater levels of support from navies;
- Promote anti-piracy coordination and co-operation between and among States, regions and organizations;
- Build the capacity of States in piracy-infested regions of the world, and elsewhere, to deter, interdict and bring to justice those who commit acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships; and
- Equally importantly, provide care for those attacked or hijacked by pirates and for their families.