ISTANBUL — UN chief said here on Saturday that Somalia is one of the greatest crisis in the world, calling for more efforts for peace there.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon made the statement at the United Nations Conference on Somalia which kicked off Saturday in Istanbul.
The UN chief said at the meeting that flourishing piracy has driven up shipping and food prices.
“I will submit to UN options for prosecuting pirates and ask shipping industry to contribute generously as well,” he added.
Speaking about the situation in Somalia, he said some people are profiting from anarchy in the country, adding “If we do not redouble our efforts, there will be little chance for peace in Somalia.“
Ban noted that lack of security in the country has been attracting extremists and radicalism.
However, he noted “Hope is not lost,” for the first time in two decades there is some progress, elaborating the Djibouti agreement has brought about a transitional government, though it has been under attack by extremists.
As to the conference, he said “This is a clear sign of our commitment and solidarity with the people of Somalia at a time when they need our support.”
“This is another sign of Turkey’s willingness to take up the most serious international problems,” he added.
The UN chief said the conference is held to help the Republic of Somalia to develop, and there have been regional and international efforts to reverse the situation in the country.

However, he said the efforts made for Somalia have been inadequate by far.
The UN chief called for wide support and aid to Somalia, saying “The transitional government represents Somalia’s best chance to escape the endless cycle of war and humanitarian disasters. The only way to succeed is to support the transitional government.”
“This conference is a way to show Somali leadership we are committed to working together. The government must also start to deliver improved services to the people and pay security forces,” he said.
The gathering, co-hosted by the United Nations and the Turkish government, seeks to help consolidate political stability, security and reconstruction in the conflict-ravaged Horn of Africa nation, which has not had a functioning central government in two decades.
The Horn of Africa nation continues to be plagued by fighting between government forces and its supporters and Islamist rebels, as well as by drought, poverty, food insecurity and heavy flooding.
It remains the scene of one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with 1.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), some 575,000 refugees and nearly 3 million people dependent on aid, out of a total population of nearly 8 million.
Participants at the international conference will also explore ways to combat rampant piracy off the Somali coast.
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Source:- Xinhua

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