Combat the current high levels of piracy
IMO reports that Saudi Arabia has lent its support to the Code of Conduct designed to combat the current high levels of piracy in the Indian Ocean.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed the Code of Conduct on the Suppression of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden (Djibouti Code of Conduct), on 10 March, becoming the 13th country to do so.
His Excellency Dr. Jubarah Bin Eid Alsuraisry, Minister of Transport of Saudi Arabia, signed the Code on behalf of his Government, during an official visit to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters in London.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, following the instructions of King Abdullah, exerts every effort to build bridges of co-operation with countries all over the world, especially by taking initiatives and participating in an effective way in order to achieve stability and world security, whether through the United Nations and its specialized agencies, or through continuous co-operation with all countries in this field, Dr. Jubarah Bin Eid Alsuraisry said.
IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos welcomed the signing by Saudi Arabia as a boost to the effective implementation of the Djibouti Code of Conduct in the region.
The unabated acts of piracy, not only in waters off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden but also in the wider expanse of the western Indian Ocean, continue to be in the public spotlight.Our concern should, above all, be for the safety of life at sea and the well-being of the seafarers and other victims involved and their respective families. We should, therefore, not rest unless and until all the necessary measures to suppress and eradicate piracy have been taken, Mr. Mitropoulos said. The support of Saudi Arabia for the effective implementation of the Djibouti Code of Conduct and for the efforts to protect international shipping by the naval forces deployed in the region are, therefore, important contributions, he added.
During his visit to IMO, the Minister also discussed other matters with IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, including this years World Maritime Day theme, 2010: Year of the Seafarer, technical co-operation matters and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, ahead of the forthcoming meeting of IMOs Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) to be held from 22 to 26 March 2010.
The Minister was accompanied by Dr. Al Ohaly Abdulaziz, Deputy Minister of Transport.
Source:Motorship
