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Stern Recommendation on Somali Piracy

931 views · Published 23 April 2009 · 2:00 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: United Nations · 2009 · News & Politics

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United Nations, New York, 23 April 2009 - Daily Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. The Secretary-General this morning delivered the opening statement at the International Conference in Brussels in support of the Somali Security Institutions and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). He said that piracy is not a water-borne disease, but rather a symptom of anarchy and insecurity on the ground. Dealing with it, he said, requires an integrated strategy that addresses the fundamental issue of lawlessness in Somalia.
He said we must ensure that AMISOM has what it needs to fulfill the mandate authorized by the African Union and the UN Security Council. At the same time, he reminded all Member States of the critical funding shortage for the World Food Programme's Emergency Operation, which still requires $168 million through the end of 2009.
The strategy for Somalia, he emphasized, is based on a new partnership among the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, donors and the Somalis themselves.
He also met today with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping, the European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, with whom he had a joint press stakeout, and with Kenyas Foreign Minister, among others.
This evening, the Secretary-General spoke to the press, welcoming the generous contributions made at todays conference, where more than 200 million dollars were pledged. He said that he is both hopeful and realistic about Somalias prospects: hopeful at the strong support and political will that has been shown, and realistic about the need for patience and constant commitment.
The Secretary-Generals week-long travel, which started in Trinidad and Tobago and continued through Switzerland, Malta and Belgium, has ended, and he will be back at UN Headquarters tomorrow.

News Story: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=30575&Cr=somali&Cr1=

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