The world confronts many threats with transnational dimensions that transcend the the capacity of states to address. While the United Nations and other intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) can mitigate obstacles to international cooperation, such institutions at present are unable to fill governance gaps at the global level. Today's challenges require novel approaches that include diverse stakeholder. The subject of this study is one such initiative: the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGCPS). THE CGCPS is a voluntary mechanism for states to collectively address maritime piracy emanating from Somalia. The aim of this paper is to analyze the group's historical development, efforts to fill gaps, and the challenges it faces as well evaluate the group as a model to solve complex transnational problems.

• The CGPCS has fostered the emergence of an anti-piracy community.
• The CGPCS is most remarkable for its flexibility and inclusiveness of a broad range of states, relevant IGOs, and private industry actors.
• The analysis suggests that the CGPCS will be a useful model for collective efforts that address problems requiring fast and adaptive responses to changing situations on the ground.