Greater efforts needed against maritime piracy: UAE

Dubai, Sep 12 (IANS/WAM) Maritime piracy, especially in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean, needs more serious global attention, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan has said.

"Despite the efforts being exerted by the international community to combat piracy on the Somali coast, the UAE still believes that maritime piracy, especially in the Gulf of Aden and the Western Indian Ocean, needs more serious global concern," he said while inaugurating the third annual International Maritime Counter-Piracy Conference here Wednesday.

"...We are convinced that success in the fight against maritime piracy will be the result of unifying the efforts of the international community for capacity building in the region, addressing its roots in Somalia and other similar environments," the minister said.

He also said that the UAE stood with and supported the efforts and objectives of the Somalian government and backed the Somali people in their legitimate quest for peace and prosperity.

Sheikh Abdullah recalled that in May, the UAE had pledged $50 million for developmental projects in Somalia to ensure a decent livelihood for the country's people.

--IANS/WAM

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