4P1ClassMUN Delegation of Saudi Arabia

Nicholas TeoFang Ruo Ming

Saudi Arabia Economy heavily dependent on oil

Oil accounted for 90% of exports and 75% of revenue Government attempting to develop other industries

Somali piracy affects imports and exports Unprecedented hijacking of the Sirius Star severely

crippled Saudi exports The carrier accounted for a quarter of Saudi Arabia’s

exports – worth more than $100 million of oil

Foreign Relations Maintains security and its paramount position on the Arabian

Peninsula Mediates regional crises and assists in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations Supported the peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli Conflict Provides water, food, shelter, and fuel for coalition forces in the region

Integral member in the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries Leading exporter of petroleum Preserves stable and long-term market for oil through mutual

cooperation and alliances with Western economies

Active member of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank One of the largest aid donors Provides aid to various Arab, African and Asian nations

Saudi-Somali Relations Strong bilateral relations

Saudi Arabia and Somalia both share a similar stand on foreign policy

Somalia receives military aid and monetary aid from Saudi Arabia, a wealthy and conservation oil-exporting country

Important trading and economic partner Saudi Arabia offered Somalia a $70 million grant Sold Somalia oil below prevailing international market

prices Saudi Arabia is one of Somalia’s major economic markets

Analysis of Situation

Political Instability Absence of National Coast Guard

The Somali Government collapsed in 1991 as a result of the Somalia Civil War

Led to disbandment of National Coast Guard and Somali Armed Forces

Compelled fisherman to assume to role of the coast guard through piracy Evidenced from names taken by pirate networks – the

National Volunteer Coast Guard Exclusive Somali-waters remain unprotected

Political Instability Lack of Central Government:

Fundamental statelessness of the country Confusing legal system due to an attempt to incorporate various

different ones Inadequate education system

Literacy Level of 25% Less than 1% in institutions of high learning; 7% in high school

Ineffective governing of the waters Provides opportunities to criminals to carry out activities freely Areas in Somalia are safe havens for pirates who are provided

with weapons Piracy seen as easy and lucrative opportunity

Breach Of Sovereignty Illegal Fishing

Waters off Somalia’s coast teeming with varieties of Tuna – highly priced in international markets

The Marine Resources Assessment Group (MRAG) estimates a loss of $90 million every year due to illegal fishing; the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) raised the figure to $300 million

Depletion of fish in European waters force European vessels to locate other sources of fish

Representatives from French and Spanish fishing organisations reported as many as 40 illegal EU vessels in the Indian Ocean

Compels fishermen to turn to piracy to protect their waters

Breach of Sovereignty Dumping of waste

Following the 2004 tsunami, allegations have surfaced that the waters off Somalia were illegally used for toxic waste disposal

The European Green Party reported that 10 million tonnes of toxic waste was exchanged for $80 million

Inhabitants around regions supposedly affected by nuclear waste experienced radiation poisoning

Waste renders waters impassable – forcing fishermen to turn to piracy

Foreign Intervention Inadequate Support

Military escorts have effectively ameliorated piracy in Gulf of Aden

Pirates direct efforts to other parts of Indian Ocean as a result

Somali basin region extensive – requires a large amount of military intervention to curb piracy

Abducted ships are no where close to military support The capture of Maersk Alabama

Yemen Provision of Arms and Instability

UN Report found Yemen a primary source of weapons for pirates

Political upheaval leads to an increase in piracy – impedes shipping of oil through Suez Canal

Saudi Arabia’s Stance Oil extremely crucial to Saudi Arabia’s survival

Piracy impedes shipment of oil – drastically affecting exports and economy

Recent capture of a major Saudi transport vessel demonstrates the severity of the situation

Saudi Arabia strongly supports international intervention and military aid in the region to curb piracy

Proposed Solutions

Development and Stabilisation

Development of education system Increases level of literacy Raises the competency of workers in Somalia – would not

turn to piracy Setting up of a Somalia Education Fund (SEF) in collaboration

with the Global Education Fund (GEF) – funded by Saudi Arabia and key UN Member States such as the US and India Funding would be regulated to prevent misuse Step-by-step development beginning with elementary school,

then continuing on to high school Estimated to last 25 years – Saudi Arabia would be integral in

completing programme

Development and Stabilisation

Economic Development Largely unexploited resources - iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite,

copper, salt, natural gas Ranked second in prospective oil-producing states by the UN

and World Bank Funding and expansion of the Trans-National Industrial

Electricity and Gas Company Job creation – prevents youngsters from turning to vice Stimulation of economy

Training of the workforce in the fields of engineering Development of the fishing, agriculture, livestock and mining

industries

Military Support Increased military intervention and capability

Expansion of Combined Task Force 150 Introduction of warships to improve response time and

capability Improved patrolling of waters in particular areas

Somali Basin Gulf of Aden Coastlines of Somalia and neighbouring regions

Division of waters into sectors Quotas for amount of ships in sectors Improves efficiency

Addition of fast-response frigate to allow quick strikes

Military Support Restoration of the National Coast Guard

Warships and frigates provided by Combined Task Force 150

Navy to be trained and supported by already-present vessels in the vicinity

National Coast Guard would be trained during patrol and combat operations in efforts to curb piracy

Restoration over a fairly long period of time

Anti-Piracy Measures Improvement of Regional Cooperation

Success of regional anti-piracy operation by Singapore in the Straits of Malacca – The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against ships in Asia (RECAAP)

Facilitate the sharing of piracy-related information through an Information Sharing Centre (ISC)

Collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to improve cooperation within region

Reaffirm important regional agreements Declare cooperation Repress piracy and protect innocent vessels

Anti-Piracy Measures Introduction of a Code of Conduct

Signatories commit themselves to sharing valuable information regarding the situation through information focal points and centres

Detain ships suspected of conducted illegal maritime activities Arrest ships of individuals linked to piracy Provide repatriation and care for people subjected to illegal pirate

activities

Primary Goals• Facilitate and improve communication• Enhance the region’s capability to combat piracy• Improve the awareness of the situation

Conclusion Saudi Arabia would aid the international effort to intervene

and curb the piracy in Somalia

International cooperation is pivotal to long-term success through coordination centres

Warships and maritime patrol vessels must be provided in addition to already-present ones – deployed to Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden

Countries must work with the UN, the UN Security Council, the UN Political Office for Somalia and other nations

Ongoing support is essential to solution of the problem

Bibliography http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7734733.stm

http://countrystudies.us/somalia/79.htm

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2863.htm

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article74609.ece

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/18/AR2008111801167.html

Bibliography http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,455684,00.ht

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/20/piracy-somalia-yemen-oil-instability

http://allafrica.com/stories/201006160735.html

http://towardfreedom.com/home/content/view/1567/1/

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2009-04-10-voa36-68814227.html?refresh=1