President Speaks at Security Forum
On 22 April, President Doumbia-Henry delivered a keynote address at Webster University Geneva’s 10th Security Forum (SF). The theme focused on Piracy and Security on the High Seas taking into account major international anti-piracy operations currently underway as well as the global refugee crisis in the Mediterranean Sea.
President Doumbia-Henry noted the challenges of modern day piracy and its strong associations with economic, societal and political instability. “For the international community, freedom of navigation is vital… Acts of piracy threaten maritime security by endangering, in particular, the welfare of seafarers and the security of navigation and commerce. These criminal acts may result in the loss of life, physical harm or hostage-taking of seafarers, significant disruptions to commerce and navigation, financial losses to shipowners, increased insurance premiums and security costs, increased costs to consumers and producers, and damage to the marine environment. Pirate attacks can have widespread ramifications, including preventing humanitarian assistance and increasing the costs of future shipments to affected areas,” stated the President.
The President further noted that political stability and addressing the main root causes of piracy, such as extreme poverty and political and economic instability, are required for successful removal of the threat.
WMU is committed to addressing the threat of piracy and addressing the global crisis relating to migration by sea. In 2011 the University hosted the International Conference on Piracy at Sea (ICOPAS) and produced a subsequent book in 2013 entitled Piracy at Sea collating the ideas of seafarers, shipowners, industry practitioners, government officials, academics and researchers on the underlying factors behind the phenomenon of piracy. In addition the University has participated in research efforts focused on reducing the threat of piracy, most recently the Protection Measures for Merchant Ships (PROMERC), an EU project aimed at reducing the vulnerability of EU merchant fleets and maritime supply lines to criminal abduction and extortion. On 26 and 27 April 2016, WMU will host the WMU Migration by Sea Symposium in partnership with the University of Genoa to address the maritime dimension of international migration.
For more information about the 10th Security Forum, click here.
For more information about the WMU Migration by Sea Symposium, click here.
