The international response to piracy

Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia

Pursuant to UNSCR 1851(2008), the international community has formed the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. In this forum, nations, international organisations, military forces and the shipping industry meet to discuss solutions to Somali piracy and to drive their implementation.

The Contact Group has agreed the key priorities for international action as the following:

The Contact Group is split into four Working Groups.

Working Group 1

Improving naval operational co-ordination and building the judicial, penal and maritime capacity of Regional States to ensure they are better equipped to tackle piracy. The UK chairs this working group.

The Working Group works closely with the International Maritime Organisation, supporting their implementation of the Djibouti Code of Conduct. It also supports the Eastern and Southern Africa and Indian Ocean States’ Regional Plan of Action to tackle piracy.

Working Group 2

Establishing judicial frameworks for the arrest, detention and prosecution of suspect pirates. This Working Group is chaired by Denmark.

The Contact Group, through Working Groups 1 and 2, strongly supports the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime programme to build judicial and penal capacity in Regional States. They are working in Kenya, Seychelles and the regional Somali authorities of Puntland and Somaliland to develop judicial and prison capacity. More than 1,000 pirates are now in custody in more than 20 countries, many through these facilities.

Working Group 3

Strengthening commercial shipping self-awareness and self-defence.  This Working Group is chaired by the USA, and works closely with the International Maritime Organisation.

Working Group 4

Improving diplomatic and public information efforts within Somalia and the international community. This Working Group is chaired by Egypt.

The Contact Group is driving work on the financial flows linked to piracy, targeting pirate leaders and financiers, working in particular with Interpol and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

The Contact Group has established a Trust Fund to support international action against piracy, in particular, the costs linked to prosecution and imprisonment.