WAM Dubai, Jun 27th, 2012 (WAM)--Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Thomas Kelly has lauded hosting of the second International Counter-Piracy Conference by the UAE.

Organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dubai in conjunction with DPW, the conference aims to address how best to combat piracy and encourage the economic growth in Somalia to ensure stability.

Kelly praised the financial and humanitarian contributions of the UAE to Somalia, especially to the Contact Group, and training of Somali forces.

He said as long as there is instability and unemployment among the youth in Somalia, it will be very difficult to curb the piracy phenomenon there.

WAM/MN