Topic: International Cooperation in Combatting Piracy
Country: Afghanistan
Delegate Name: Michaela Zewde
School: Williamston High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Afghanistan position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
Throughout the world, piracy is taking its toll on different economic structures. Although most focus of admiralty law is on Somalia and the Indian Ocean, piracy also plagues the areas of the Pacific and Southeastern Asia. Unfortunately, much proposed action has been declined or criticized for violating territorial waters. The United Nations now has the responsibility to find a resolution that respects previously existing laws while continuing to create and enforce effective methods to eliminate piracy.
Despite the perception that piracy only affects coastline nations, Afghanistan is aware of the impacts that piracy can have on the global economy. Some of Afghanistan’s top trading partners are frequent victims of piracy or are potential victims of privacy. For example, India, who is often affected by piracy, is an important trade partner of not only Afghanistan but many other nations as well. If a prominent trade partner is experiencing economic decline, other countries are negatively affected as well. Afghanistan understands that to continue an improving global economy, all nations must be prosperous as well. Therefore, piracy must be eradicated for the good of every state.
Afghanistan acknowledges that in recent years, nations such as Indonesia, which was infamous for its large amount of pirate attacks, has greatly decreased piracy in their waters. The method in which Indonesia accomplished this was by partnering with Malaysia and Singapore to safeguard and monitor the borders outside their respective territory. In addition, the International Maritime Bureau recommends vigilance on waters with high incidence of pirate attacks, as pirates often abandon their attacks the moment they are spotted. Afghanistan would like to urge nations to individually form a plan of safeguarding territorial waters, as to not violate preexisting national maritime laws. Afghanistan expects to be in agreeance with the nations most affected by piracy, including China, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
