The Effectiveness of Arab Countries in Achieving Maritime Security under the Rules of International Law

Abstract

With the beginning of the twenty-first century, forms of threat to the maritime security were renewed in many marine areas in the world. The Arab region, especially in the Horn of Africa, was a theater for these threats as a result of numerous and varied reasons which contributed to the increased risks to maritime security, leaving a great impact on the international community in general and the Arab States in particular. Because of these serious effects, the international community, with its various tools, rushed to face these threats to maritime security, including (maritime terrorism, maritime piracy and armed robbery of ships, environmental pollution and illegal fishing), using the renewal of its legal and material means. These means and tools have helped in reducing a lot of perils associated with maritime security. The Arab countries had a limited role in this field in comparison to the rest of the international efforts since the international community exerted considerable efforts in facing the risks of maritime security through the provision of military capabilities and the establishment of international centers involved in this aspect. It also provided material support, prepared studies and conferences concerned with facing the risks for security and established maritime training centers in addition to participation of the private sector especially the transportation and oil companies and marine insurance.