UAE to host international counter piracy conference

The UAE is set to host the third International Counter Piracy Conference, which will take place in Dubai next month.

The UAE will host the third International Counter Piracy Conference in Dubai next month.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the global ports operator DP World and Abu Dhabi Ports Company yesterday announced that they would co-convene the conference, on September 11 and 12.

More than 500 people, including foreign ministers, senior government officials, executives of global maritime-sector companies and leading experts are expected to attend the event.

"Countering Maritime Piracy: Continued Efforts for Regional Capacity Building"aims to fight maritime piracy on and off shore.

The humanitarian impact of piracy on seafarers and their families continues to be a focus. This year's event will highlight the plight of Capt Juwaid Saleem, a former captive of pirates in Somalia, and his family, who will share their experiences. Capt Saleem and seven of his crew were held for more than two years. The remaining 15 crew members are still missing in Somalia.

Key themes at the conference include the humanitarian and economic cost of piracy, support for seafarers and a solution to piracy through collaboration across political, military, financial and legal sectors.

"While the international community has made great strides in fighting piracy off the coast of Somalia, the UAE believes that maritime piracy, notably in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean, remains of serious global concern," said the Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed.

"We are convinced that successfully countering piracy can only be achieved if the international community enhances its efforts to build capacity in the region," he said.