S/PV.6512 Security Council

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1976 (2011). I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation, who wishes to speak following the adoption of the resolution.

The worsening piracy off the coast of Somalia requires that the international community adopt qualitatively new measures to combat it. Today, we have taken a great step forward in combating piracy. The resolution adopted on our initiative includes a broad array of qualitatively new measures aimed at establishing the necessary conditions to more effectively counteract pirates. It generally draws on the ideas of Mr. Jack Lang, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Legal Issues Related to Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, which enjoy broad international support, and takes in an entire set of problems related to the growing piracy threat. For the Russian Federation, it is important that the resolution includes special emphasis on combating impunity for pirates. The request on the Secretary- General to report to the Council on practical aspects for establishing national anti-piracy courts in Somalia and a specialized Somali anti-piracy court with international components on the territory of a third State is a first practical step towards establishing an effective judicial mechanism capable of providing a credible and reliable solution to the problem of bringing pirates to justice. We look forward to receiving a thorough report from the Secretary-General that includes concrete proposals on the modalities for establishing such anti-piracy courts. For our part, we are prepared to provide the Secretary-General with all the necessary support to carry out that work. Allow me to express our appreciation to all the members of the Council for their cooperation, support and determination to achieve compromise. We are also grateful to our colleagues for their valuable ideas, which made it possible for us to strengthen the resolution and to lend momentum to this important anti-piracy initiative.

There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.