Gulf of Guinea concern

International Maritime Organization (IMO) secretary-general Kitack Lim has welcomed a Presidential Statement from the UN Security Council in which the Council strongly condemns acts of murder, kidnapping, hostage-taking and robbery by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea and encourages states in the region and regional organisations to enhance cooperation on maritime safety and security. The Statement also recognises the efforts to adopt measures to counter piracy and armed robbery at sea and address trans-national organised crime, such as drug trafficking. The Gulf of Guinea is said to account for nearly 40 per cent of all piracy and armed robbery at sea reported worldwide so far this year. The IMO is working with states in the region and regional organisations to help develop the maritime sector, underpinned by good maritime security.