POLICY STATEMENT: Inaugural Meeting of the Contact Group on Somali Piracy

<i>(Editor&#39;s note: U.S. Africa Command currently is not leading the U.S. military&#39;s role in counter-piracy off the Somali coast. This information is provided to help increase awareness of overall U.S. foreign policy in the region.)</i> <br



By US AFRICOM Public Affairs Office of the Spokesman, U.S. Department of State WASHINGTON, D.C. Jan 12, 2009
(Editor's note: U.S. Africa Command currently is not leading the U.S. military's role in counter-piracy off the Somali coast. This information is provided to help increase awareness of overall U.S. foreign policy in the region.) The following is a press statement released by the Department of State on January 12, 2009: The Contact Group on Somali Piracy (CGSP) will hold its inaugural meeting at the United Nations Headquarters Building in New York City on January 14, 2009. This meeting is pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1851 adopted unanimously on December 16, 2008. A total of 24 countries and five multilateral organizations are planning to participate in the inaugural meeting which will be chaired by the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, Mark T. Kimmitt. The CGSP will focus on coordinating activities between states and organizations to suppress piracy off the coast of Somalia. It is anticipated that discussions will address: Improving operational and intelligence support to counter-piracy operations, Establishing a counter-piracy coordination mechanism, Strengthening judicial frameworks for the arrest, prosecution and detention of pirates, Strengthening commercial shipping self-awareness and other capabilities, Pursuing improving diplomatic and public information efforts, and Disrupting pirate financial operations. The CGSP will issue a statement at the conclusion of the discussions. There will be a press availability following the meeting. Media wishing to cover the event should ensure they have proper UN credentials.
More in Media Room
U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against the ISIS-Somalia terrorist organization in Somalia on Sept. 10, 2025.
Read more
AFRICOM Commander Assesses East in First African Trip
U.S. Africa Command’s new commander, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, visited East Africa this week to meet with political and defense leaders and U.S. embassy country teams and to engage with U.S. servicemembers stationed there.
Read more
U.S. Forces Conclude Operation Targeting ISIS-Somalia
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, concluded a two-week operation Aug. 23, 2025, that included multiple airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia in the Puntland region of Somalia.
Read more
More in Media Room
U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against the ISIS-Somalia terrorist organization in Somalia on Sept. 10, 2025.
Read more
AFRICOM Commander Assesses East in First African Trip
U.S. Africa Command’s new commander, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, visited East Africa this week to meet with political and defense leaders and U.S. embassy country teams and to engage with U.S. servicemembers stationed there.
Read more
U.S. Forces Conclude Operation Targeting ISIS-Somalia
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, concluded a two-week operation Aug. 23, 2025, that included multiple airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia in the Puntland region of Somalia.
Read more
More in Media Room
U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against the ISIS-Somalia terrorist organization in Somalia on Sept. 10, 2025.
Read more
AFRICOM Commander Assesses East in First African Trip
U.S. Africa Command’s new commander, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, visited East Africa this week to meet with political and defense leaders and U.S. embassy country teams and to engage with U.S. servicemembers stationed there.
Read more
U.S. Forces Conclude Operation Targeting ISIS-Somalia
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, concluded a two-week operation Aug. 23, 2025, that included multiple airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia in the Puntland region of Somalia.
Read more