IMO - Piracy in the Gulf of Aden

Somali-based piracy has been a persistent issue in the Gulf of Aden and in the Indian Ocean. Their presence is a response to various stressors and factors including the collapse of Somalia’s central government, a lack of economic opportunities, and a lack of law enforcement. The International Maritime Organization has played a significant role in attempts to resolve this issue, and for a period of time in the 2010s, piracy did reduce. This reduction was due to the IMO’s role in establishing the Djibouti Code of Conduct, a regional agreement which promotes regional cooperation through training and information sharing. In addition, the IMO also facilitated and collaborated with naval coalitions and provided assistance to Somalia, Djibouti, and Yemen to develop coast guard legal systems, training personnel, and improving infrastructure. 

Despite the IMOs efforts, recent events such as political instability in Somalia and Yemen, illegal fishing, and arms trafficking are facilitating a resurgence in piracy. The IMO now has an opportunity to rework the Djibouti Code of Conduct to create a more long-lasting and flexible initiative that can withstand the ever-changing political climate. To do so, the backroom will work in a more advisory capacity to allow delegates to evaluate the success of their directives throughout the conference.

Sub-topics include but are not limited to:

• Addressing political instability,

• Determining the role of international naval forces and its correlation with the resurgence of piracy, and;

• Developing a judicial process to prosecute pirates (ex. What are their legal consequences? Whose jurisdiction do they fall under?).