UN Somalia conference ends up with Istanbul declaration
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The United Nations wrapped up its one-day Somalia conference in Istanbul on Saturday, issuing a declaration which reaffirms the world's commitment to Somalia and its efforts to eliminate violence and instability.
"We send a clear and strong message to people of Somalia that they are not alone in their search for peace, reconciliation and prosperity after so many years of poverty, hardship and suffering, " said the Istanbul declaration.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said at a press conference shortly after the meeting that neither his organization nor the international community would sit and watch Somalia's fight alone despite the existing risks.
The UN chief said if certain problems were not solved at once and the piracy on land could not be stopped, then the piracy at sea could not be prevented either.
He said earlier at the meeting that Somalia is experiencing one of the biggest crises in the world. Piracy is flourishing, driving up shipping and food prices. "I will submit to UN options for prosecuting pirates and ask shipping industry to contribute generously."
Ban said the goal of the relevant parties would be to eliminate the violence and desperation in Somalia, build up a prosperous and peaceful future for the country and spread such atmosphere to the whole region.
Speaking about the piracy and armed attacks at sea, he said, the Istanbul declaration envisaged the establishment of an international fund for the delivery of the captured pirates to justice.
Also speaking at the joint press conference, Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said the conference showed the strength of Turkey and the UN; moreover, it opened up new horizon for the Somali government and people.
He termed the international conference successful and appealed the international community to draw attention to the danger in Somalia.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would support Somalia in every possible way due to its historical friendship and brotherhood ties with this country.
According to Erdogan, with the release of Istanbul declaration, the necessary support would be extended to Somalia under the coordination of the UN.
"It is impossible for us to leave Somalia this way, as it is a country with whom we have a historical friendship. Extending support in every possible way is a historical duty for us," he said.
Erdogan said absence of peace in Somalia was a problem; however, progress was made with each passing day.
"We hope the Istanbul conference constitutes an important leap forward on this matter," he added.
The UN Somalia meeting, 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.
Twelve international organizations, including the Organization of the Islamic Conference, are among the attendance.
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.
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