I am pleased to convey my greetings to the fourth high-level international Counter-Piracy Conference.  I thank the host government of the United Arab Emirates and am grateful for the continued personal commitment of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan to address the piracy challenge.

You have come together to focus on ongoing international efforts to address piracy off the coast of Somalia and to forge the way ahead. We know that weak governance and serious security challenges in Somalia combine to provide fertile conditions for criminal networks to hold ships and seafarers hostage.

A comprehensive, sustainable solution will require committed efforts to rebuild the Somali State. This includes coordinated assistance to help Somalia build capacity, foster reconciliation, improve governance, ensure law enforcement and promote sustainable development. 

Today, I am on a joint visit to Somalia with the President of the World Bank, Dr. Jim Kim.   We are in the country as part of a concerted effort to accelerate development and consolidate peace in the Horn of Africa. 

This Conference is an important effort to better link the counter-piracy approach with development and state-building goals in Somalia. 

More than 70 percent of Somalis are under the age of 30.  While counter-piracy measures continue to prove effective, the international community should also support Somali efforts to harness the energy and innovation of young people, and ensure they have access to decent jobs and other opportunities. 

The United Nations is helping to strengthen the capacity of Somalia and other States in the region to prosecute individuals suspected of piracy and to sanction those convicted, in accordance with international standards.  It is imperative that more nations criminalize piracy – including by deterring and suppressing the financing of piracy and the laundering of ransom money.

Despite progress, effective prosecution and imprisonment of those responsible for piracy and armed robbery remains a challenge.  If the burden of prosecuting pirates is shouldered only by States that apprehend them, then countries may be reluctant to act, especially if the apprehending country’s vessels are not directly targeted. 

I welcome the growing willingness of Somalia’s neighbours to prosecute individuals suspected of piracy.  It is equally critical that the international community continues to support Somalia and its neighbours in their efforts to share the burden of piracy prosecutions.

Somali pirates are still holding 37 seafarers.  This is a matter of serious international concern.  I express my deepest sympathy for the suffering of seafarers and their families.  All hostages must be released immediately. 

Our successful efforts to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia prove that the international community can effectively address complex transnational challenges by working together.  It is that spirit and resolve that has brought you together for this important conference.  Please accept my best wishes for its success.