Ministry Statements & Speeches:
We welcome the adoption of resolution 2244 (2015). We particularly welcome the fact that it includes a specific provision to reinforce Somalia’s ability to exercise sovereignty over its natural resources. Disputes between illegal fishing vessels, local fishermen and armed groups concerning the illegal exploitation of Somalia’s natural resources run the risk of becoming a driver of conflict.
Somalia’s concern about its ability to control access to its resources is not unique. The governance and exploitation of natural resources and the challenge posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing was also identified by many Member States during the open debate (see S/PV.7499) held in July on peace and security issues facing small island developing States.
On Eritrea, New Zealand recognizes that there are important issues to address with regard to the scope and focus of the sanctions regime in the light of the last two reports (S/2015/802 and S/2014/727) of the Monitoring Group. We hope that an improved relationship, including on access between the Government of Eritrea and the Monitoring Group, may enable the Council to take clear decisions in future to determine if the original purpose for which the sanctions were imposed continues to apply.