UAE proud to support Local Stability Fund for Somalia with US$2 million for initial operating year, says Sheikh Abdullah

London - Feb 26, 2012 (WAM) - H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister stressed that the UAE is working on invigorating the role of Arabs and the Cooperation Council of the Gulf Arab States (GCC) in order to realise the encouraging steps into a successful approach to counter, through deeper understanding of nature and the requirements of the coming stage, the many aspects related to the tragedy of Somalia, namely piracy and extremism. Describing as "huge" the responsibility of Somali officials in the coming stage, Sheikh Abdullah stressed on the need for diligent work, political harmony and financial transparency in order to back, and make any successful international efforts in this respect. Sheikh Abdullah made his remarks in an intervention at the London Conference on Somalia which was opened on Thursday by Prime Minister of the UK David Cameron. Secretary General of the UN Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the African Union, senior representatives from 50 governments and international organisations including the League of Arab States and the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The gathering is intended to boost international efforts for Somalia. Among the members of the UAE's delegation led by HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the conference are Assistant Foreign Minister for Security and Military Affairs Ambassador Faris Al Mazrouei, Director of International Security Cooperation at the Foreign Ministry Mahash Al Hameli, Ambassador of the UAE to the US Yousuf Al Otaiba and Advisor to the Foreign Minister Mohammed Al Khaja. Following are excerpts from Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed's intervention at the London Conference: "Allow me to first thank the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for convening this important Conference, at a pivotal moment for Somalia. I would also like to thank Secretary William Hague for chairing this meeting and Secretary Andrew Mitchell for organising the humanitarian breakfast, this morning. The London Conference's first achievement has already been made through coherent and collective steps to counter the humanitarian and political conditions which are still concerning. In this respect, it is with pleasure that I am able to report on the success of a special Arab League Meeting on Somalia, held last week in Cairo and followed-up yesterday in London. This conference comes at a pivotal moment for Somalia. Despite the fact that there is positive action in this regard, there is a need for more coordination and joint action in order to realise the encouraging steps into a successful approach to counter, through deeper understanding of nature and requirements of the coming stage, the many aspects related to the tragedy of Somalia, namely piracy and extremism. The UAE is working on invigorating the role of Arabs and the Cooperation Council of the Gulf Arab States (GCC) to achieve deeper understanding of nature and the requirements of the coming stage. I would like to commend the Somali parties, the Transitional Federal Government and their role in reconstruction under very difficult conditions, but I believe the responsibility of Somali officials in the coming stage is huge. There is a need for diligent work, political harmony and financial transparency in order to back, and make any successful international efforts in this respect." "Somalia historically finds itself at the heart of a vital and proactive region. This maritime neighbourhood has maintained close ties, in trade, in culture, in religion, and through family and friendships. These ties continue to exist: for centuries. Today, these traditional ties are enshrined in active international regional bodies. As we discuss solutions to Somalia's challenges, here today, we must be unequivocal: Somalia's responses to the challenges it faces must be home-grown, and regionally cultivated. And its neighbours must provide the first line of support for their Somali brothers. The UAE has applied this strategy of regionalisation to define its own engagement. In April 2011, the UAE convened a high-level international counter-piracy event, the first of its kind in the region. This brought together senior representatives from states and industry, and enabled a new level of cooperation between concerned parties on counter-piracy. We look forward to inviting you to a second international high-level counter-piracy conference in Dubai, to be held 27-28 June, 2012. The UAE also has the pleasure of addressing participants as the current Chairperson of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. The Contact Group is the leading mechanism through which states and representatives of maritime industry collectively engineer an effective counter-piracy response. As such, it has pioneered a new form of international cooperation. And the UAE has made efforts to bring priorities of the region to this international body: including the need to define a regionally led and owned response to the threat from maritime piracy. Therefore the UAE has called for support to Somalia that includes assistance to capacity building in the security and judicial sectors. In the fight against piracy, Somalia must have national capability to response - including through a strong navy, and an effective coastguard. The achievement of long-term regional security must therefore be Somali-led, and regionally integrated. Behind this regional action, we welcome an engaged international community, and the commitment that the United Kingdom's initiative will galvanise. High-level international attention must remain focused on the situation in Somalia. The UAE is therefore proud to support the new Local Stability Fund, through a commitment of US$ 2 million for its initial operating year. Funds must follow international commitments to Somalia. In this respect, the UAE is encouraged by the London Conference's work toward realising the Join Financial Management Board to ensure the effective delivery of international financial support. Providing effective financial auditing support is an important service the international community can further deliver to the Somali people. After all, it is the people of Somalia who are the greatest victims. Their livelihoods, economic futures and well-being are being systematically deprived by the insecurity that ongoing criminal activities generate. Therefore, we must ensure that the people of Somalia are placed at the centre of any international and regional strategy of support." - Emirates News Agency, WAM