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Somalia can end piracy within a year if given the adequate funds and resources, Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said Wednesday (June 27th) at the second United Arab Emirates Counter-Piracy Conference in Dubai.

"These pirates do not live at sea; they live in Somalia. Who better to battle them than the people of the land?" Ahmed said, according to Emirati newspaper The National. "We are completely ready to combat this problem. Despite our limited funds, we are ready to train and set up a marine force that would attack and dispel all pirate activities."

Ahmed said that between 5,000 and 6,000 men are available and ready to be trained as an anti-piracy force. "We want the international community to provide them with arms, materials and equipment," he said.

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash pledged Emirati support for the development of a Somali-centred solution to piracy. "The UAE is happy to announce a contribution of $1 million to maritime forces in Somalia to enhance counter-piracy measures and help bring peace," he said.

Ahmed said Somalis must upgrade its police force, reform its judicial system and develop infrastructure for jails in order to cut down on illegal maritime activities.

Ahmed also appealed to the international community for help protecting Somali waters.

"Ships fishing in our waters and companies dumping chemical waste on our shores have to be stopped. They have been taking advantage of our situation and the international community should help us stop them," he said.