The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will convene a maritime security working group in response to the growing number of pirate attacks on ships in the Gulf of Guinea. The working group is set to meet at the next session of the Maritime Safety Committee, MSC 103, scheduled to take place in May, to provide an opportunity for Member States and international organizations to discuss further collaboration and possible action to address the problem. IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim expressed his concern about the escalation in the number and severity of attacks on ships and crew in the Gulf of Guinea region, and insisted on the need for stakeholders to work together to restore security and reduce the threats to the safety and security of crews and vessels operating in the region.