British Prime Minister David Cameron has announced his country will hold a major conference next year focusing on the threats of Somali pirates and instability in the East African nation.

Mr. Cameron said during a speech Monday that it is time to stand up to pirates, whom he described as violent and lawless men who are not invincible.

He said the conference in London will address protecting ships in the Gulf of Aden and pressuring extremists, but he did not give a date for the meeting.

The prime minister called Somalia a “failed state” that directly threatens British interests, and where tourists and aid workers are kidnapped while Somalis suffer from famine.

Mr. Cameron announced a plan last month to allow British-flagged merchant ships sailing the Horn of Africa to carry armed guards to ward off pirates.

Somali pirates have made hundreds of millions of dollars hijacking ships for ransom in recent years.