Videotel TV: Ban Ki-moon Piracy: orchestrating the response

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon attended the launch on 3 February 2011 of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Action Plan to promote the 2011 IMO World Maritime Day theme: “Piracy: orchestrating the response

The main aims of the Action Plan are;

• Increase pressure at the political level to secure the release of all hostaqes being held by pirates.
• Review and improve the IMO guidelines to administrations and seafarers and promote compliance with industry best management practices and the recommended preventative, evasive and defensive measures ships should follow.
• To 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.
• Provide care for those attacked or hijacked by pirates and for their families.

IMO Headquarters, “Piracy: 'orchestrating the response'" 3 Feb.

Speaking at IMO’s London Headquarters, Mr Ban mentioned that piracy is simply un-acceptable and he welcomed the decision of IMO to pay special attention with this serious threat during the year ahead.