Naval Response
No activity planned or implemented.
Industry Response
No activity planned or implemented.
Plight of Seafarers
The Hostage Relief Programme is a joint program run by both the UNODC and UNPOS. The Hostage Relief Programme is dedicated to the safe return of hostages as well as serving as a base of support for both the hostage and their family after the incident. The program is funded by the Counter Piracy Trust Fund and is divided into five phases aimed at providing the hostage with support throughout the process. Recently, The Hostage Relief Programme was an integral part of repatriating the hostages of the MV ICEBERG 1, the longest held hostages by Somali pirates.
Messaging and Advocacy
UNPOS has worked alongside UNODC to implement messaging projects that raise awareness of the negative repercussions of piracy.
Regional Capacity
UNPOS has worked with and supported numerous initiatives in the region that aimed at promoting Somali peace and stability. It is currently in discussions with regional and international partners, including the UN family, concerning a strategic review of its mission in an attempt to determine the UN’s future role in Somalia.
Somali Capacity
UNPOS worked closely with the new Federal Government of Somalia in order to implement the Government’s “Six Pillar Policy.” UNPOS coordinated with Somali government to promote reconciliation through dialogue between Somali parties, to assist efforts to address the issue of “Somaliand,” to coordinate support for the peace process among Somalia’s neighbors and the international community, and to play a leading political role in peace-building activities.
Rule of Law
In January 2010, the UNPOS convened a technical meeting at which the TFG, Puntland, and Somaliland established the ‘Somali Contact Group on Counter-Piracy’, previously known as the 'Kampala Process’, now the 'Regional Maritime Coordination Mechanism' (RMCM). Galmudug has also joined (S/2011/662, para 15). The RMCM is based on the ‘Djibouti Code of Conduct’ and is designed to implement maritime legislation and strengthen Somali capacity to prosecute pirates. According to the report by the UN Secretary General (S/2011/360) on the modalities for the establishment of specialized Somali anti-piracy courts, UNPOS is “encouraging the transitional federal institutions to pass counter-piracy legislation before the end of the transitional period.” It has been indicated that counter-piracy legislation will not be passed until after the End of Transition (20 August 2012), when a new elected parliament is in place (S/2012/50, fn 13). The UNPOS has assisted in forming the Somalia Law Reform Programme Expert Group (the Law Reform Group), which has drafted agreed upon anti-piracy legislation and prison and prisoner transfer legislation. No activity planned or implemented.
Coordination
UNPOS plays the crucial role of coordinating programs within Somalia. UNPOS is tasked with coordinating Somali activity as the secretariat for the RMCM, coordinating UN and regional agency activity through the Integrated Task Force Nairobi Cluster, coordinating regional bi-lateral activity and monitoring private security activity, as well as serving as the liaison to naval forces, particularly concerning the impact on the political and military situation on land. UNPOS also works alongside the CGPCS Chairman to assist them with their work in the region. With Somalia’s political process advancing, UNPOS will expand their activities in Somalia and their coordination with the new Somali government. The UN Security Council has endorsed UNPOS to promote reconciliation through dialogue between Somali parties, to assist efforts to address the issue of ‘Somaliland,’ to coordinate support for the peace process, and to play a leading role in peace-building activities.
