US Department of State
Press release
Saturday, November 16, 2013
The United States joined partners from over 40 countries,
international organizations, and the private sector in Djibouti,
November 10–14, for the 15th Plenary of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia.
The plenary, chaired by the United States and hosted by the
Government of Djibouti, continued efforts by this outstanding
international partnership to safeguard commerce and humanitarian aid
deliveries along one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors. The
Plenary also marked the passing of the Contact Group chairmanship from
the United States in 2013 to the European Union for 2014. Since its
initial meeting in January 2009, the Contact Group has nearly tripled in
size while successful pirate attacks have declined to zero so far this
year. And thanks in part to the Contact Group’s concerted efforts, there
has not been a successful pirate attack on a commercial vessel off the
Horn of Africa in more than 18 months. This demonstrates the clear
global consensus that has emerged against piracy, as well as the
recognition that concerted coordinated international action was needed
in response. Among its accomplishments to date, the Contact Group has:
• Facilitated operational coordination of an unprecedented
international naval effort of more than 30 countries working together to
protect transiting vessels. The United States coordinates in these
efforts with other multilateral coalitions such as Combined Maritime
Forces, NATO’s Operation Ocean Shield, the European Union’s Operation
ATALANTA, and independent deployers such as China, India, Japan, and
Russia.
• Partnered with the shipping industry to improve practical steps
merchant ships and crews can take to avoid, deter, delay, and counter
pirate attacks. The shipping industry’s use of Best Management Practices
and the increasing use of Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel
are among these measures, which continue to be the most effective
deterrents against pirate attacks.
• Strengthened the capacity of Somalia and other countries in the
region to counter piracy, in particular by contributing to the UN Trust
Fund Supporting Initiatives of States Countering Piracy off the Coast of
Somalia; and
• Advanced new initiatives aimed at disrupting the pirates’ networks
ashore through law enforcement approaches similar to those used to
target other types of organized transnational criminal networks.