- UN Secretary-General Guterres urges urgent global action on maritime security ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.
- Delegates highlight rising threats: piracy, cyberattacks, trafficking, and environmental issues.
- Call for preventive strategies and strong legal frameworks like UNCLOS.
- Emphasis on regional cooperation, technology use, and addressing geopolitical tensions in key areas like the Red Sea and South China Sea.
At the UN Security Council meeting on 20 May, Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that securing the world’s oceans is fundamental to maintaining international peace and stability. He warned that increasing threats—ranging from piracy and smuggling to cyberattacks and geopolitical tensions—are straining maritime security worldwide. Guterres urged immediate action focused on respecting international law, addressing root causes of insecurity, and fostering global partnerships. He highlighted the upcoming 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, as a critical opportunity for countries to take collective steps toward stronger maritime governance and coordination.
Escalating Maritime Threats and the Call for Preventive Strategies
Melina N. Travlos, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, pointed out a 35% increase in maritime incidents from 2023 to 2024, emphasizing the growing complexity of threats such as cyberwarfare, drug and human trafficking, and organized crime. She stressed the urgent need to move from reactive responses to preventive security measures backed by global commitment. Christian Bueger, a UNIDIR Research Fellow, criticized the UN’s current fragmented approach and advocated for a comprehensive, evidence-based global maritime security strategy to address persistent crimes and emerging challenges like autonomous weapons.
Legal Frameworks and Environmental Protection
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed upholding the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and tackling marine pollution as integral to maritime security, linking these issues to democratic values. Several countries, including Pakistan, Guyana, and Slovenia, reaffirmed UNCLOS as the primary legal framework governing maritime affairs. Slovenia also highlighted its involvement in EU naval operations and the importance of integrating climate resilience into maritime security planning.
Regional Cooperation and Climate Challenges
Representatives from Sierra Leone and Algeria underscored regional security efforts such as the African Union’s Lomé Charter and cooperative initiatives against illegal fishing in West Africa. They emphasized the impact of climate change on maritime insecurity and the critical need for technology transfer to developing nations. Somalia’s delegation identified poverty and unemployment as underlying causes of maritime crime, while Denmark’s Special Envoy called for enhanced coastal state capabilities to address instability linked to maritime threats.
Geopolitical Tensions and Maritime Security Conflicts
Officials from the UK, France, and the US condemned hostile actions in the Red Sea by Houthi forces and criticized China’s activities in the South China Sea. China countered by accusing the US of militarizing the region, and Russia rejected the Security Council’s authority over many maritime disputes discussed. The Republic of Korea raised concerns about North Korea’s illicit maritime operations and noted weakening sanctions enforcement after the disbandment of the UN Security Council’s monitoring panel.
Sovereignty, Cooperation, and Technological Solutions
Mexico highlighted the importance of respecting coastal state sovereignty in maritime security efforts, while Cyprus called for coordinated naval efforts, national maritime strategies, and the deployment of emerging technologies to combat maritime crime. Several representatives shared positive examples of cooperation, including Malta and Antigua and Barbuda’s partnership in establishing the Global Centre for Maritime Sanctions Monitoring, and Italy’s successful reduction of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea through regional codes and EU naval presence.
Regional Security Collaborations and Maritime Hotspots
Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines outlined ASEAN’s collaborative approach to maritime security, with the Philippines raising alarms about rising tensions in the South China Sea. Egypt reported a $7 billion loss in revenue linked to decreased Red Sea navigation, underscoring how maritime security is closely intertwined with regional geopolitics and land-based conflicts.
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Source: safety4sea
