Piracy situation “unacceptable” says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon echoes call for urgent and coordinated response as IMO launches anti piracy action plan :

IMO’s action plan for 2011 has six prime objectives:  

 

• increase pressure at the political level to secure the release of all hostages being held by pirates;

• review and improve the IMO guidelines to Administrations and seafarers and promote compliance with industry best management practice and the recommended preventive, evasive and defensive measures ships should follow;

• promote greater levels of support from, and coordination with, navies;

• promote anti-piracy coordination and co-operation procedures between and among States, regions, organizations and industry;

• assist states to build capacity in piracy-infested regions of the world, and elsewhere, to deter, interdict and bring to justice those who commit acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships; and

• provide care for those attacked or hijacked by pirates and for their families.