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<p>The UK plays a leading role in the fight against piracy in the Western Indian
Ocean. We contribute to the Commander and Operational Headquarters of the EU's counter
piracy mission, EU Navel Force (NAVFOR) Operation Atalanta. We also contribute to
the Deputy Commander for the Combined Maritime Force, whose Task Force 151 has a specific
focus on counter piracy. We are also a supporter of bilateral and multilateral maritime
security capacity building programmes in the region. Between 2010 and 2016, the UK
contributed over £17.2m to these programmes, which have helped to support counter-piracy
efforts, increase regional maritime awareness and improve legal frameworks.</p><p>In
May 2017, the UK hosted and co-chaired the London Somalia Conference, at which the
international community reaffirmed its commitment to deterring and combatting piracy,
and the Federal Government and the Federal Member States of Somalia reiterated their
commitment to improving maritime security and building a capable coastguard.</p><p>According
to EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta, there have been six piracy attacks on commercial
vessels in the region in 2017. Of those, only one – an attack against a Comoros flagged
oil tanker, the <em>Aris 13,</em> on 13 March 2017 – was successful. By contrast,
in 2011, there were 176 reported piracy attacks.</p>
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