STATEMENT BY MR MARK NEO, CHARGE D'AFFAIRES a.i. OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON MAINTAINING INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY: PIRACY, 19 NOVEMBER 2012

Mr President

                Thank you for convening this open debate on the important issue of the threat to international peace and security by acts of maritime piracy.

2                The security of the world’s sea lines of communication is the responsibility of all stakeholders, including coastal States, user States and the shipping industry.  Piracy is a transnational problem and the tactics of pirates evolve over time.  The international maritime community has a better chance of tackling piracy successfully if we do so collectively.

3                Against this backdrop, Singapore remains a strong supporter of international efforts against piracy.  We contribute to the development of guidelines at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that help governments and industry deter, prevent and suppress piracy.  Singapore also supports international counter-piracy naval operations in the Gulf of Aden.  In the last four years, Singapore has sent more than 700 sailors, soldiers and airmen over the deployment of four Task Groups and one maritime patrol aircraft detachment to the Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151).  We have also taken command of CTF 151 twice over the same period.  Singapore also participates in discussions at the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) and chaired the 9^th Plenary Session of CGPCS in July 2011.

Mr President

4                The latest reports from the IMO show a sharp decline in pirate attacks and hijackings in 2012 over 2011.  The Report of the Secretary-General S/2020/783 attributes this to actions by naval forces at sea and on shore to disrupt pirate operations; improved implementation of the IMO guidance and industry-developed Best Management Practices for Protection against Somali-based Piracy; and greater self-protection measures by merchant ships. This underscores that positive results can be achieved when the international community comes together.  Nevertheless, piracy off the Coast of Somalia remains a serious threat to the safety and freedom of international navigation.

5                Singapore notes with concern the resurgence of piracy off the opposite coast of Africa, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea.  This year, there were two reports of Singapore-flagged ships there being boarded by unknown personnel. Fortunately, neither incident lasted long and no one was hurt.  We commend the countries in the region for their anti-piracy efforts and for bringing the situation to the Security Council’s attention in 2011.  Singapore also thanks Nigeria for its pro-active efforts to protect merchant shipping in the Gulf of Guinea.

Mr President

6                Singapore cannot overemphasise the paramount importance of maritime security cooperation in combating piracy and safeguarding international sea lines of communication.  In this regard, regional initiatives and mechanisms have proven effective in tackling piracy and armed robbery.  Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia – the littoral states of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore – launched trilateral maritime patrols to combat the increase in piracy in 2004.  We also embarked on broader maritime security cooperation initiatives with other countries within and outside Asia.

7                The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) is one such example of maritime security cooperation.  ReCAAP is a regional government-to-government agreement to promote and enhance cooperation against piracy and armed robbery in Asia.  ReCAAP entered into force in November 2006 and currently has 18 Contracting Parties[*], including China, India, Japan and the UK.  The ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC) in Singapore facilitates the swift exchange of information which allows member countries to improve their incident response and analysis of piracy statistics.  The ReCAAP ISC also conducts research on piracy trends, helps to improve awareness of the piracy situation and encourages best practices among governments and shipping communities.  This has led to a significant reduction in the incidence, severity and economic impact of piracy in Asia. 

8                Similar Information Sharing Centres modelled after the ReCAAP ISC were set up in Yemen, Kenya and Tanzania under the IMO’s Djibouti Code of Conduct concerning the Repression of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.  The ReCAAP ISC, in co-operation with the IMO, has conducted two workshops in Singapore to aid Djibouti Code countries in the building of anti-piracy information-sharing capacity.  The ReCAAP ISC will conduct a third workshop in Tokyo, Japan, in early December this year.

Mr President

9                Singapore remains committed to international efforts to combat piracy.  For a small, open trading nation like Singapore, maritime security cooperation is critical to safeguarding the international sea lines of communication which underpin the survival of our country and our continued economic prosperity.

Thank you.

[*] The 18 Contracting Parties to ReCAAP are: Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Denmark, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the UK and Vietnam.