New UN SG report reviews developments and challenges

A new report by the UN secretary general, submitted to the UN Security Council pursuant to paragraph 33 of Security Council resolution 2246 (2015), provides an excellent overview of the developments over the last year and the diverse measures implemented by the international community and local actors. The report is clear in stating that “progress remains fragile and reversible. Credible reports indicate that Somali pirates possess the intent and capability to resume attacks against large commercial ships, should the opportunity present itself, and to endanger smaller vessels, which remain particularly vulnerable.” In particular, it alerts to the fact that “the complex linkage between piracy and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing continues to be of concern. The rise in the number of seafarers held by pirates in 2015 is largely attributable to hijackings of small fishing vessels.”

The report also contains summaries of the developments and progress of implementation of the diverse projects geared at the curbing of piracy off the coast of Somalia, including the work of UNODC, OBP, FAO, IMO and others. The full report is available here.

Leave a Reply