4P1ClassMUN Delegation of Saudi Arabia

1. 4P1ClassMUN Delegation of Saudi Arabia Nicholas TeoFang Ruo Ming

2. 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

3. 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 • Provideswater, 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

4. 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

5. Analysis of Situation

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Proposed Solutions

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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 UNSecurity Council, the UN Political Office for Somalia and other nations • Ongoing support is essential to solution of the problem

21. 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

22. Bibliography • http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,455684,00.html • 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