4P1ClassMUN Delegation of Saudi Arabia
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Transcript of 4P1ClassMUN Delegation of Saudi Arabia
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