Press Statement on Piracy, Maritime Armed Robbery in Gulf of Guinea

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Hardeep Singh Puri ( India):

The members of the Security Council were briefed by B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, on the issue of piracy and maritime armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea, off the coast of West Africa, on 23 August 2011.

The members of the Security Council expressed concern over the increase in piracy, maritime armed robbery and reports of hostage-taking in the Gulf of Guinea and its damaging impact on security, trade and economic activities in the subregion.

The members of the Security Council noted the efforts being made by countries in the Gulf of Guinea to tackle the problem, including the launching of joint efforts to patrol these waters, including efforts by Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, off the coast of Benin, as well as plans to convene a summit of Gulf of Guinea Heads of State to discuss a regional response.  In this context, members of the Council underlined the need for regional coordination and leadership in developing a comprehensive strategy to address this threat.

Recognizing the leadership role of the regional bodies and States on this issue, the members of the Security Council called on the international community to support the concerned countries, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWA), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and other relevant organizations, as appropriate, in securing international navigation along the Gulf of Guinea, including through information exchange, improved coordination and capacity-building.

The members of the Security Council noted the intention of the Secretary-General to deploy a United Nations assessment mission to examine the situation and explore possible options for United Nations support.  The members of the Security Council also stressed the need for the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) and the United Nations Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) to work, within their current mandates, with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as well as with all concerned countries and regional organizations.

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For information media • not an official record