Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia
The Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia was created on January 14, 2009 pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1851. This voluntary, ad hoc international forum brings together encourages countries, organizations, and industry groups with an interest in combating piracy.
 Two French warships maneuver closely during replenishment while on anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden. |
The Contact Group's participating states are coordinating political, military, and other efforts to bring an end to piracy off the coast of Somalia and to ensure that pirates are brought to justice.
45 countries and seven international organizations (the African Union, the League of Arab States, the European Union, INTERPOL, International Maritime Organization, NATO, and UN Secretariat) now participate in the Contact Group, along with two major maritime industry groups, BIMCO and INTERTANKO, who take part as Observers. See the complete list of participants.
The Contact Group's four Working Groups are:
- Working Group 1: Military and Operational Coordination, Information Sharing, and capacity Building, chaired by the United Kingdom;
- Working Group 2: Judicial Issues, chaired by Denmark;
- Working Group 3: Strengthening Shipping Self-Awareness and Other Capabilities, chaired by the United States; and
- Working Group 4: Public Information, chaired by Egypt.
More information is available at http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/global-issues/conflict-prevention/piracy/.
Counter-Piracy Contact Group Working Group 3 Meeting and Fourth Plenary
Working Group 3 of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, chaired by the United States, met on September 9, 2009 at the United Nations to add its signature and those of other countries to the “New York Declaration” on best management practices to protect commercial ships from pirate attacks. The full Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia convened at the UN on September 10, 2009. Learn more:
-U.S. Commits to Best Practices to Counter Piracy |
-Text of NY Declaration |
-Remarks by Ambassador DiCarlo |
-Fourth Plenary Meeting of the Contact Group |
Contact Group Third Plenary Session Communiqué
The Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia met at United Nations Headquarters in New York on May 29, 2009, and agreed upon the following statement.
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