The United Nations Security Council is urging West African countries to hold a summit to confront the growing threat of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea region.

The 15-member body on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the countries and other regional organizations to develop a comprehensive anti-piracy strategy.

Pirate attacks have become increasingly common, sophisticated and violent in the Gulf of Guinea, which is located off the southern coast of West Africa.

The International Maritime Bureau says there have been at least eight attempted or successful pirate attacks in the gulf so far this year.

West African pirates have traditionally not been as active as their counterparts in Somalia, but a rising number of attacks prompted the IMB to post warnings about traveling through the region.