Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and the Response By the United States and International Community

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Counter-Piracy: Growing International Cooperation Safeguarding the Seas
Date: 03/05/2010 Description: The EU NAVFOR French warship FS Nivose with Somali pirate skiffs off the Somali coast on Friday March 5, 2010. © AP Image Honoring Secretary Clinton's call for a 21st century solution to a 17th century crime of pirate attacks in the waters off the Horn of Africa. DipNote Blog»

Counter-Piracy Contact Group Meets in New York
Date: 10/08/2008 Description: In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, pirates leave the Ukrainian merchant vessel MV Faina for Somalia's shore while under observation by a U.S. Navy ship. © AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky The United States joined partners from more than 50 countries and international organizations at the United Nations in New York January 28 for a plenary meeting of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. Full Text» Media Note» Counter-Piracy»

Counter-Piracy: Confronting Criminals at Sea
Date: 04/11/2009 Description: In this undated photo released by the French Defense Ministry on Saturday, April 11, 2009, armed pirates and their hostages are seen aboard the French yacht Modern pirates armed with modern military hardware and communications gear seek millions in ransom for seized vessels and crews. Their actions pose a risk to maritime safety and threaten millions in East Africa who depend on U.S. humanitarian aid. Full Text»

Recent Attacks on Maersk Alabama and M/V Harriett
Secretary of Transportation LaHood reminded mariners of best practices following recent attacks on the Maersk Alabama and M/V Harriett. Full Text»

International Community Must Intensify Counter-Piracy Effort
Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo (Nov. 18): "The scourge of piracy off the coast of Somalia affects us all—through increased risk to our citizens, disruption of global commercial shipping routes, and damage to property and goods." Full Text»

Greek Shipowners Discuss Piracy off the Coast of Somalia
Date: 09/11/2003 Description: A U.S. Coast Guard officer drops onto the deck of the Omiros, a Greek freighter carrying cement to the Port of Tampa, Sept. 11, 2003, in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. © AP Image During a visit to Washington, DC, a delegation from the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) met with State Department officials to discuss the threat to international shipping posed by pirates operating of the coast of Somalia and up to 1000 miles beyond its territorial waters. Full Text»

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Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and the Response By the United States and International Community

	"We may be dealing with a 17th Century crime, but we need to bring 21st Century solutions to bear." -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, April 17, 2009.

Threat to Maritime Commerce, Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief, and Regional Security and Development.
Pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa represent a serious threat to a range of American and international interests. Learn more.

United States Response.
Description: A U.S. Navy boarding team carefully approaches a suspected pirate vessel. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy The United States Government's coordinated inter-agency efforts are consistent with our traditional interest in ensuring freedom of navigation, safety of mariners, and protection of American citizens. Learn more.

International Response.
On January 14, 2009, a community of like-minded nations and international organizations convened in New York to launch a coordinated effort to halt pirate attacks that emanated from Somali waters. This initiative was called the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. This website serves as a repository for the Contact Group’s communiqués and other significant announcements.

The diplomatic, official coordination, and information-sharing efforts of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, are complemented by these international counter-piracy forces, which provide naval and aerial forces to protect shipping that transits this region: