Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers

Excellencies, colleagues, dear friends, at the outset, I want to welcome you for being here early this morning. External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of Cabinet of Liberia, Madam Sarah Bayoh-Solo Nyanti, honorable ministers, today marks the launch of a new historic initiative The Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers is an idea that originated as a far-reaching consequences of disruptions to established maritime routes started heavily impacting the daily lives of the people of various regions in an adverse manner. Food, fuel and fertilizer supplies have got choked. These developments underline the need for greater international cooperation among countries in order to highlight and advance diverse aspects pertaining to safety and security of shipping and seafarers. We have around 23 member states participating today, including many at ministerial and vice ministerial levels, and I want to welcome you all. The copies of today's program is placed in front of you. Following the remarks of Minister Dr. Jayashankar and Minister Madam Nayanthi, every member state will have the opportunity to make an intervention if they so wish. Given the constraints on time, it is requested that these interventions may be limited. I now request Minister Dr. S. Jayashankar to deliver the opening remarks. Sir, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Ambassador. Excellencies, colleagues, we are gathered here this morning with a strong resolve on a very important issue. India, as a major source of seafarers, and Liberia, as the largest shipping registry have come together to highlight the safety and security of shipping and seafarers. Just two days ago, an Antigua and Barbuda flagged bulk carrier, MV Cape Dow, was attacked in the Gulf of Oman. An Indian sailor lost his life. 10 days before that, a Panama flagged oil tanker Elgaya, was struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. An Indian crew member went missing after that incident. These, regrettably, are no longer exceptional occurrences. In the last few months, commercial shipping and mariners have been subjected to repeated attacks in the Gulf, the Red Sea, and its vicinity. Such unacceptable actions are also occurring in the Black Sea. MV Omorphi was hit in Russian territorial waters on 18 July and its chief officer, an Indian national, killed. The following day, MV Golden Leo was struck after leaving Odessa and four Indian seafarers lost their lives. Now, the example that I cite involve Indian sailors. But those of many other nations have been casualties as well in such occurrences this year. From the Black Sea to the Red Sea to the Gulf, attacks on civilian shipping have become a growing cause of concern. These actions that disrupt maritime commerce and cost innocent lives are simply indefensible. We are here to not just highlight this dangerous trend, but to urge the international community to close ranks and deter such attacks. Colleagues, the world witnesses international trade worth more than $140 billion a day. Oceans support more than 80% of those activities. Our supply chains are deeply interconnected, and securing the maritime commons is therefore crucial. Nearly 2 million seafarers operate the world's merchant fleets, often navigating choppy waters, both literally and metaphorically. Recent global developments underline the threats posed to the safety and security of seafarers, including prolonged confinement on board, delayed crew changes and repatriation, separation from families psychological distress, other than these lethal attacks that I have mentioned. Despite the existence of international and regional frameworks for protecting the rights of seafarers, there is a need for stronger and closer international cooperation on this matter. Seafarers often belong to a different nationality than the flag that the commercial vessels fly. which makes the case for a concerted effort by the international community even stronger. Two weeks ago, when India hosted the BRICS Summit, we highlighted this very concern. Prime Minister Modi proposed establishing a Seafarers Emergency Support Network which could connect the maritime authorities and embassies of the countries concerned and facilitate distress alerts, medical assistance, communication with families, and support for evacuation when needed. In November last year, we co-organized an area formula meeting in the UN Security Council along with Greece and Philippines on maritime safety and security protection of seafarers. We also participated in the high level open debate on the safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain held in April 2026. It is against this backdrop that India and Liberia joined hands to propose the idea of establishing a group of friends on safety and security of shipping and seafarers. This would be a group that focuses on various aspects of maritime trade, safety and security. As an inclusive platform, our endeavor has been to bring all relevant stakeholders together. This group of friends consists of major ship-owning member states, countries with the largest number of ship registries, and those who provide the maximum numbers to seafaring. We would like to chart a trajectory for the group in a consultative manner. Let us hear from the members regarding their views on various points pertaining to the group We could firm up modalities, including terms of reference, based on our discussions today. I would like to place on record my special thanks to each and every one of you for joining today at this meeting and for joining the group. I look forward to listening to each of your perspectives. And I thank you, and I would now request Ambassador to conduct further proceedings.

Thank you, sir, for your remarks. It's now my pleasure to request Minister Madam Nayanthi for her initial remarks. The floor is yours.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, esteemed partners of the global maritime community, ladies and gentlemen. I bring you warm greetings this morning from the President of the Republic of Liberia, President Joseph Yuman Boyka Senior, who takes this issue as a critical issue for Liberia's arrest agenda for inclusive development. Today, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the Republic of India to take an intentional, principled, and urgent step forward. As two foundational pillars of international maritime commerce, Liberia representing the world's open registry, the largest by tonnage, by gross tonnage, and India providing an indispensable vanguard of skilled mariners, officers, and technical seafaring talent. We recognize that oceans are not barriers of separation. They are arteries of our shared global destiny. I use this opportunity to thank my colleagues from the Liberia Maritime Authority, the shipping registry, LISCAR, and Commissioner Nito Lai and his team for the work they've done in raising Liberia's shipping registry to what it is today. Over 80% of the food, energy, medicine, and manufactured goods that sustain life across the world happens across open water. Yet today, those very waters are increasingly volatile. Geopolitical conflicts threaten navigation. They threaten transit corridors, and non-state actors have moved in to disrupt those corridors. And this is something that needs to be addressed. Asymmetric security threats multiply, and the strategies they use continue to change. They operate these vessels in a way that causes us more danger. Through the launch of the Group of Friends for Safety Security of Shipping and Seafarers, Liberia and India declared that business as usual cannot hold. We are convening this coalition to restore our collective responsibility, operational integrity, and an unyielding commitment to human life across maritime domain. Our mandate centers for Liberia on three vital interconnected priorities. First, safety. The physical integrity of vessels, rigorous technical compliance, and environmental stewardship are non-negotiable. Safety cannot be an administrative afterthought on a compromised cost center. As a leading flag state, Liberia has consistently demonstrated that high operational benchmarks save lives and protect maritime ecosystems. But true safety requires systemic cooperation common technical enforcement, transparent incident reporting, and collective resilience across every port, across every street, and every open corridor. Second, security of shipping. Modern commerce cannot flourish under constant peril. From the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden to the Gulf of Guinea, shipping is confronting unprecedented security challenges. Armed attacks, piracy, drone incursions, cyber disruptions, destabilizing presence of illicit and unregulated fleets. This cannot continue. I once had the chance to ride a vessel from the Gulf of Aden, from Aden to Djibouti during my previous life as Assistant Secretary General of the UN, at that time as the head of a UN entity working to get cash across Yemen. And when I entered that vessel, I regretted why I ever took the job. Because my briefing that I received around piracy, I thought I would die that night. I never closed my eyes that entire night because we're afraid of piracy. And we're given all of the security briefings. I was taken down to the bunker where I would hide. And I remember that. That was about maybe nine years ago, eight years ago or so. I'm trying to remember the years. The risk and the dangers have multiplied. Every year it gets worse. And so the security of shipping is critical and it's non-negotiable. Thirdly and lastly, our seafarers. Most importantly, our seafarers. Behind every navigation chart, every humming engine, every container delivered, there are men and women who risk their lives every single day. The commerce, the revenue generated, and so forth, there are human beings behind it. There are families behind it. There are communities behind it. And we must work together to make sure that they are safe and that they are secure. The Group of Friends is not designed to be an echo, an echo chamber, a talk shop. Just a few weeks ago, I was in New Delhi, and this was an idea, a bilateral idea between India and Liberia. Today we're sitting here, over 20 countries have signed up and it has become a multilateral platform for advocacy. That's action. And that action that has us sitting here today is the action that's required for the results needed for the people, for the countries, for the communities in relation to maritime security. I want to thank the Republic of India for this partnership and all of the large shipping registries, all of the countries contributing seafarers, India, Philippines, all of us have to work together because it's our common humanity, it's a common good in the future of our children. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Nanti, for your remarks. I now give the floor to Foreign Minister of Greece, His Excellency Minister Gerapetritis. Sir, the floor is yours.

Thank you so much, Ambassador. Mr. Minister, Madam Minister, I'm very pleased to participate in this ministerial meeting, launching the Group of Friends on Safety and Security on Shipping and Seafarers. This initiative comes at a particularly important juncture. Threats to maritime security have multiplied, while attacks against international shipping have endangered lives, challenged freedom of navigation, disrupted global supply chains, and affected food and energy security. Recent attacks against commercial vessels and seafarers, including in the Red Sea, the wider region and other critical maritime routes, have demonstrated once again how rapidly maritime insecurity is growing and the consequences are strongly seen. At the heart of these challenges are the seafarers themselves, the men and women of whom international shipping and global trade depend. Seafarers are the backbone of international shipping, yet Despite the considerable improvements in working conditions achieved over the years, they remain one of the most demanding professions. Today, they are increasingly exposed to piracy, armed conflict, terrorist attacks, and other serious security threats. Protecting shipping must therefore go hand in hand with protecting those who serve at sea. For Greece, for us, it's a high priority during our term in office as an elected member of the Security Council of the UN. During our first presidency of the Security Council in May 25, Greece convened a high-level open debate chaired by the Greek Prime Minister on strengthening maritime security through international cooperation. Maritime security will feature prominently once again during our forthcoming presidency in October. as we continue our efforts to uphold freedom of navigation and strengthen our coordination and collective response to threats at sea. Our commitment remains clear. Freedom of navigation must be upheld and the safety and security of shipping and seafarers must be protected in accordance with international law and especially with UNCLOS. The International Maritime Organization has a central role to perform in these efforts. Greece remains actively engaged in the IMO's work to strengthen our collective capacity to address maritime security risk. Cooperation between the IMO and the International Labor Organization is equally important, particularly in addressing abandonment and ensuring the fair treatment of seafarers. Against this background, I warmly congratulate India and Liberia on their initiative to establish this group of friends. Greece is proud to join this effort. The group can help raise awareness, promote the effectiveness of implementation of existing commitments, build on initiatives undertaken by states and international organizations, and this is another evidence of the actual usefulness of multilateralism under challenging circumstances. It is important to work together on global challenges. I would like to stress three messages that we need to address today. The first is that seafarers in secure seas and safer shipping and better protection for everybody working at sea is very critical. because this is fundamental to international peace and security and prosperity and the rule of law. It involves not only the protection of lives, but the protection of supply chains, food security, and critical energy transport. Secondly, freedom of navigation through straits of international use is not only a main principle of international positive and customary law, but also the basis of unhindered global trade and freedom of commerce. And third, it is precisely a time of crisis, like today, that Maritime Law Convention of 2006, celebrating the 20th anniversary this year, needs to be applied more scrupulously. Its protective coverage assumes full significance for preserving the fundamental right to a secure and safe workplace for all seafarers. Ladies and gentlemen, an old maritime saying reminds us that without seafarers, half of the world would freeze and the remaining half would starve. Greece stands ready to work closely with all members of the Group of Friends to translate our shared commitments into effective practice. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Gerpetritis, for your support for this initiative. I now have the pleasure to invite Her Excellency Maria Teresa Lazaro, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Philippines.

Thank you, Ambassador, Excellencies. I thank India and Liberia for bringing us together around an issue fundamental to global security and prosperity, but above all, to the lives and dignity of the people who keep the world moving. The Philippines welcomes the establishment of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers. I am pleased to convey today the Philippines' willingness to join this Group of Friends and to contribute actively to this work. This initiative could not be more timely. Around 90% of world trade moves by sea. Behind that extraordinary flow of goods are close to 2 million seafarers worldwide. Yet those who sustain global trade continue to face conflict, attacks on commercial vessels, abandonment, prolonged confinement at sea, delayed repatriation, and inadequate access to medical and other essential services. More than 20,000 seafarers, port workers, and offshore crews have already been affected by ongoing following crisis. This is a stark reminder of the human cost of insecurity at sea. For the Philippines, these numbers have faces. Filipino seafarers are present on ships crossing virtually every ocean. They connect economies, carry essential goods, and sustain families and communities at home. For the Philippines, the safety of seafarers is a maritime, economic, and human imperative, directly affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. And this is precisely why this group of friends matter. The safety of ships and the safety of seafarers are indivisible concerns. Neither can maritime security be separated from international law. When commercial vessels are attacked, When civilian seafarers are placed in harm's way, or when conflicts disrupt maritime routes, the consequences travel far beyond the waters where they occur. They reach our ports, our markets, our food and energy supplies, and ultimately, our people. This is why peaceful and secure seas are indispensable to economic prosperity and national resilience. The Philippines therefore sees this group not as another forum for dialogue, but as an opportunity for practical cooperation. It is an instrument to strengthen implementation of existing international instruments, exchange best practices, respond collectively to emerging threats, and ensure that seafarers receive the international attention and protection that their indispensable role deserves. This is also the action-oriented approach envisioned by India and Liberia in establishing this group. Our participation builds naturally on initiatives the Philippines already advancing. The Philippines has consistently worked to bring greater international attention to the rights, safety, and well-being of our seafarers. In 2024, we led the landmark Human Rights Council Resolution 56/18 for the promotion and protection of the enjoyment of human rights by seafarers adopted by consensus. We carried the work forward by hosting the International Conference on the Rights and Safety of Seafarers in Manila last year, which culminated in the adoption of the Manila Declaration on Seafarers' Human Rights, Safety and Well-being. Together, these initiatives advance a fundamental principle: those who keep global trade moving must be able to work in safety, security and dignity. I therefore take this opportunity to invite states that have not yet come so to endorse also the Manila Declaration and join us in translating its commitments into meaningful protection for seafarers everywhere. The Group of Friends also complements our engagement in the global initiative to galvanize political commitment to international humanitarian law, including our active contribution to Workstream 7 on naval warfare. Together, these efforts connect maritime security, human rights, and respect for international humanitarian law around one essential objective: preserving humanity at sea, including in times of conflict. Excellencies, ships may carry the world's commerce, but people sail those ships. If we want to secure supply chains, resilient economies, and peaceful seas, we must protect the men and women on whom all this depends. The Philippines stands ready to work with India, Liberia, and all members of this group to turn our shared concern into collective action and to ensure that those who connect our world can do so to safety, security, and with dignity. Thank you.

Thank you, Your Excellency, for your strong support for this initiative. I now have the pleasure to recognize the presence of two ministers from Sierra Leone, Foreign Minister, Mohammed Rahman Swarai, and Minister of Employment, Labor, and Social Security, His Excellency, Umaru Napoleon Koroma. I now invite Minister Swarai to make his statement.

Distinguished delegates, Excellencies, allow me at the outset to commend the governments of India and Liberia for convening this family ministerial meeting and for their leadership in launching the Group of Friends of Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers. Sierra Leone is pleased to associate itself with this important initiative. As a coastal state with a long-lasting and standing maritime tradition and a deep appreciation of the contributions of shipping to global commerce, development, and human well-being, we recognize that the safety and security of shipping and seafarers are matters of shared international responsibility. More than 80% of global commerce by volume is carried by sea. The uninterrupted, safe and secure movement of vessels is therefore indispensable not only to international trade, but also to food security, energy access, economic stability and sustainable development, particularly for developing countries and vulnerable economies. Yet, maritime routes and Men and women who serve on them continue to face serious and evolving challenges, including piracy and armed robbery at sea, terrorism, illicit trafficking, attacks on commercial vessels, maritime accidents, environmental hazards, and the growing challenges associated with regional instability. At the heart of this discussion are seafarers. They are the often unseen backbone of the global economy. Their professionalism, resilience, and sacrifice sustain supply chains across the world, frequently under difficult and dangerous conditions. Their safety, security, welfare, and dignity must remain central to our efforts. It is very important. In my previous role as Minister of Employment, Labor, and Social Security, accompanied here by my successor, we had a very enduring challenge we had a group of Saronian seafarers who worked with which was incorporated in nineteen twenties. They were British flagships. Um they shut down in the nineteen eighties. So this day, the Australian seafarers who never had end of service and other benefits due them. That's a major advocacy for us which we believe the friends of seafarers here is the right and proper place to bring. Excellencies, Australia believes that addressing these challenges requires strengthening multilateral cooperation, respect for international law, and practical partnerships among states, international organizations, the shipping industry, ports authorities, labor representatives, and civil society. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea provides a legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. Its full and effective implementation, together with the relevant conventions and standards of the International Maritime Organization and the International Labor Organization, remains essential and critical. The Gulf of Guinea, I listened to my dear sister Sarah narrate her very, very, very challenging ordeal while on board the ship. The Gulf of Guinea continues to demonstrate the importance of coordinated regional and international action. While progress has been made through cooperation among coastal states, regional mechanisms, and international partners, sustained support is required to strengthen maritime domain awareness, information sharing, coast guard capabilities, search and rescue capacity, port security, legal frameworks, and the prosecution of maritime crimes. For countries such as Sierra Leone, capacity building and technical assistance are particularly important. Support must be tailored to national circumstances, nationally owned and directed towards building enduring institutions and capabilities. The objective should not only be to respond to incidents after they occur, but also to prevent them through stronger governance, safer ports, trained maritime personnel, effective law enforcement, and improve regional cooperation and coordination. Excellencies, the proposed group of friends can make a meaningful contribution by serving as a platform for dialogue, advocacy, awareness raising, and partnership building. It can help maritime safety and security high on the international agenda, encourage the exchange of experiences and best practices, mobilize political support for practical assistance, and promote greater attention to the welfare and protection of seafarers. Sierra Leone, therefore, welcomes this initiative and stands ready to engage constructively in its work. We look forward to working with India, Liberia, and all interested member states and partners to advance seafarers, secure ship lanes, resilient maritime communities, and a future in which every seafarer can carry out his or her work in conditions of safety, dignity, and respect. Let us seize this opportunity to reaffirm that the safety of ships and the security of seafarers are not merely maritime concerns. They are central to international peace and security. sustainable development and the shared prosperity of all nations. I thank you.

Thank you, Your Excellency, Minister Swaraj, for your strong support to the initiative. I have the pleasure to recognize the presence of the Minister of State from the UAE, His Excellency Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajri. Welcome, sir. Thank you for your presence. Would you be making a statement? Okay, thank you, sir. I also note the presence from Bahrain of Vice Minister and Director General Ambassador Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalifa. Thank you for your presence. I now invite His Excellency Mr. Carlos Hoyos, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama. Thank.

You, Ambassador. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, the Republic of Panama comments the efforts and initiative of Liberia and India in launching this important event focused on the safety and security of shipping and seafarers. For Panama, this initiative is another important step in recognizing the vital contribution of seafarers to international trade and the global maritime industry. More importantly, it draws attention to the risks and vulnerabilities they face in the course of their duties, as Minister Jaishankar clearly pointed out earlier. past few years have clearly demonstrated the vulnerability of maritime routes to threats posed by both state and non-state actors, placing commercial vessels and their crews at increasing risk. Seafarers are often on the front line, facing serious threats while carrying out their essential role in keeping global trade moving. As a major flag state, Panama Adama recognizes its responsibility to ensure that ships flying our flag and the seafarers serving on board operate under the highest applicable standards of safety, security and welfare. This responsibility goes beyond the safe operation of ships. It also means protecting seafarers' rights and promoting decent working and living conditions, as my learned friend from Sierra Leone pointed out, and in this regard, The Panama Maritime Authority regularly undertakes actions to strengthen oversight, protect the rights of seafarers, and continuously improve processes related to the implementation of the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006. As the administrators of the Panama Canal, Panama also has a responsibility to ensure the safe, secure, and efficient transit of vessels through this vital waterway. This role reinforces our commitment to maintaining high standards of navigation and operational safety, while supporting the continuity of international maritime trade. These elements are intrinsically linked. A safe and secure maritime sector must also be one in which seafarers' rights, dignity and welfare are respected and protected. At the same time, these challenges cannot be addressed by any one state or stakeholder alone. During our United Nations Security Council presidency of August 2025, we chose maritime security, following up and supporting Greece's presidency in April of that same year. The safety and security of shipping and the protection of seafarers require this collective effort, bringing together flag states, coastal and port states, ship owners, seafarers, and the international community. Through stronger cooperation, information sharing, and coordinated action, we can better respond to emerging threats and strengthen the resilience of international shipping. My right honorable friend, the Foreign Minister of Liberia, commented to this effect at an event yesterday in combating IUU fishing, and we fully concur. Panama, therefore, welcomes this opportunity to strengthen international cooperation, raise awareness of the challenges facing seafarers, and reaffirm our shared commitment to their protection and to the safety, security, and resilience of international shipping, while we commit to assisting in this group of friends in every possible way. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Vice Minister Hoyos, for your statement and support to the initiative. I now have the pleasure to invite Ambassador Hung Viet Do to make his statement on behalf of Vietnam.

Thank you very much, Harish, and Excellencies, Ministers. I wish to thank India and Liberia for this very timely initiative, and I thank the Ministers for convening this meeting today. The safety and security of shipping and seafarers are at the very heart of maritime trade, but they are under serious strain. we need to close ranks, as Minister Jashankar put it earlier, to address these challenges and achieve our shared objectives, which are safer shipping, protected seafarers, and more resilient global trade. Allow me just to underline three points that are important to Vietnam. First, our efforts must be firmly grounded in the UN Charter and international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Respect for sovereignty, sovereign rights, jurisdiction and freedom of navigation in accordance with international law is essential to a safe and stable maritime environment. Second, safety of commercial vessels and seafarers' lives, rights and welfare are non-negotiable. In conflict situations and other crises in particular, we must ensure that seafarers receive adequate protection and have access to medical care, essential supplies, and timely humanitarian assistance. And third, we should strengthen practical collaboration among states, flag states, port states, coastal states, and states supplying seafarers. A network of national focal points could facilitate rapid communication, emergency assistance, crew changes and repatriation. We should strengthen our capacity building and exchange of good practices. in support of these efforts in close collaboration with the IMO, the ILO, and other relevant organizations. Finally, we see great value in an inclusive action-oriented group that complements existing mandates and translates these shared concerns into practical cooperation. To take this forward, we encourage India and Liberia to soon circulate the draft terms of reference to facilitate discussion and agreement among states. And Vietnam will actively engage in these consultations. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Ambassador Viet, for your support. I now invite the State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, His Excellency Geza von Gier to make his remarks.

Thank you very much. Thanks a lot for the invitation and for gathering us today. From a country as a trading nation, Maritime connectivity and security are a lifeline. The freedom of navigation is enshrined in our national security strategy, and two-thirds of our foreign trade travels by sea. So our maritime sector keeps our economy running. None of this would be possible, this was said before, without the millions of seafarers operating ships. I limit myself to three quick remarks. First, It's unacceptable that many of those seafarers have become targets in the recent past in the face of attacks in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. We call on all actors to assure the safety and the security of seafarers. Second, we're confronted with growing threats to the maritime security globally. Substandard shipping. is a case in point. Sometimes this is or this serves very specific purposes. Aging tankers with inadequate insurance and false flags undermine safety standards, environmental rules, and the international law of the sea. They endanger coastal states, undersea infrastructure, and their own crews. We must act together to address these grave issues. Third, when it comes to the well-being of seafarers, the International Maritime Organization is and will remain central. It sets the global standards and offers concrete instruments, such as the Seafarer Crisis Action Team, which can assist in urgent cases. So, this group of friends gathering today could help to turn these efforts into practical results. We're pleased and honored to join because we're convinced that there is a particular added value in connecting political attention here in New York with the technical, legal and operational work underway at the IMO and ILO. Thank you very much.

Thank you, State Secretary Geza Vangay for your support and for your comments. I now have the pleasure to invite the Vice Minister and DG of Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands, His Excellency, Jules Flemming, to make his remarks.

And also a word of thanks to the Republic of India and Republic of Liberia for organizing this important event and for putting spotlight on the safety and well-being of seafarers because Ships cannot sail without seafarers. They are the backbone of global trade, as pointed out by so many already, and maritime transport. So their safety and well-being must always come first. And every incident involving seafarers is one too many. And I, as Minister Yashankar mentioned, a number of incidents which involved Indian seafarers, and I'd like to offer my condolences at this occasion to the families of those involved. So we must work proactively to prevent those accidents, reduce risks and ensure that seafarers can do their work in a safe and secure environment. For this, first of all, we must fully comply with the convention of the International Maritime Organization, the IMO. Effective implementation, enforcement and monitoring of IMO standards are crucial to improving safety and working conditions for seafarers, as the Vietnamese colleague pointed out very clearly. And at the same time, the global maritime security situation remains very fragile, as my German colleague very clearly said. Key sea lanes and choke points are exposed to risks such as piracy and attacks on commercial vessels, which are totally unacceptable. So it is essential that international straits and shipping routes remain open, secure and predictable in line with international law, including in particular the UN Convention, the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for freedom of navigation. And the Netherlands, as a trading and maritime nation, has a strong interest in safe and secure commercial shipping lanes and will take an active profile in promoting maritime security and freedom of navigation by upholding UNCLOS, supporting international naval cooperation, such as this group of friends, I very much hope, and sharing best practices, we contribute to safer routes for ships and better protection of the safe seafarers who sail them. To achieve this, I think more international and practical cooperation is vital. Maritime transport is global by nature and so are the challenges our seafarers face. So only by coordinating our efforts, sharing information and learning from incidents, we can create a truly safe, fair and sustainable environment for those who work at sea. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. I now invite the Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Mr. Albert Choah, to make a statement.

I thank India and Liberia for establishing this group of friends. Singapore is pleased to join and support this important initiative. The international community has established clear rules UNCLOS provides the legal framework for activities in our oceans and seas. Navigational rights and freedoms, including freedom of navigation and transit passage, are enshrined under UNCLOS and part of customary international law. These are not privileges to be granted or withdrawn according to political expediencies. We must uphold these principles and international conventions and standards that protect ships and seafarers, including those developed through the IMO. This important initiative can help us achieve three things. First, ensure safety and security of commercial shipping remain high on the international agenda. Second, bring together states to share information, exchange best practices and strengthen cooperation. And third, give voice and visibility to the seafarers. Singapore is a leading flag state and maritime trading hub. We depend on unimpeded movement across the seas for our survival and prosperity. Singapore therefore looks forward to working closely with our partners to keep our sea lanes open, safe and secure, and to protect the courageous men and women who keep the world moving. Thank you.

Thank you, Sir, for your comments and your support. I now invite the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ambassador Beris Ekinci, to kindly make her statement. Madam, the floor is yours.

Thank you. Distinguished ministers, excellencies, it's a pleasure to join you today for the launch of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers. I would like to thank India and Liberia for their leadership in this initiative. Maritime transport carries around 90% of world trade, a proportion that is also valid for Turkey's foreign trade by volume. Disruptions to commercial shipping raise costs and threaten supply chains, energy and food security. Therefore, freedom of navigation and maritime security are of vital importance for our country too. As one of the world's top 10 suppliers of seafarers, Turkey attaches utmost importance to protecting their rights and safety. Turkey, as a continuous IMO Council member since 1999, works to keep these issues on the organization's agenda. Our seafarers have been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and affected by insecurity in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. They are also exposed to piracy and armed robbery off Somalia and in the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, we are concerned with the surge in attacks in the Black Sea. We reject these attacks regardless of their perpetrators. Any attack endangering seafarers' lives is unacceptable. Seafarers also face prolonged periods at sea, delayed crew changes and repatriation, separation from their families, fatigue and psychological distress. abandonment, shortages of essential supplies, and limited access to medical care further underline the need for effective implementation of international standards and stronger cooperation. In this regard, the ILO Maritime Labour Convention of 2006 provides an indispensable framework for decent working and living conditions, covering employment, rest, accommodation, medical care, social security and repatriation, while complementing key IMO conventions. We welcome the Group of Friends as an inclusive and action-oriented platform to raise awareness, implement relevant instruments, exchange best practices, and strengthen cooperation among states, industry, and international organizations. Its work should complement existing mandates while addressing threats to commercial shipping and seafarers, particularly in conflict situations. Turkey looks forward to contributing constructively to the group's modalities and future work. The safety, dignity and well-being of seafarers are inseparable from safe commerce and resilient global trade. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam, for your comments and your support. I now invite Ambassador Jayantha Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka to make his statement.

Thank you, Ambassador Harish. Honourable Minister Jayasanka, Honourable Minister Mayanthi, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. At the outset, Sri Lanka, while acknowledging and recognizing the important role seafarers play, wishes to extend its condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who have paid their lives in engaging in this important role. Sri Lanka, we thank India and Liberia for their initiative and leadership in establishing this group. As an island nation, the safety and security of shipping are matters of direct importance to us. The sea lanes that connect our economies carry the food and medicines we rely on, and the energy that powers our homes and businesses. When shipping is disrupted or vessels come under threat, the effects can be felt far beyond the waters where those incidents occur. costs rise, and pressure can quickly build on food and energy security. At the heart of this maritime system are seafarers. Sri Lanka has around 16,000 active seafarers, and their safety and well-being touch many of our own families and communities. We rely on seafarers every day, even if we rarely stop to think about it. They spend long periods away from their families and often work under demanding conditions, helping ensure that essential supplies reach the people who depend on them. Their safety and well-being cannot be taken for granted, particularly when insecurity and conflict at sea can place them directly in harm's way. In this context, Sri Lanka is pleased to join the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers. This group provides an important platform to strengthen cooperation and uphold the international rules and protections that safeguard shipping and those who serve at sea. We welcome the group's emphasis on effectively implementing existing international instruments and sharing good practices. Sri Lanka looks forward to contribute actively to this effect. I thank you.

Thank you, Jayanta, for your comment. I now invite Ambassador Marine de Carnin, the Permanent Representative to IMO of France, to please make your statement.

Thank you very much, and good morning, Excellencies and distinguished delegates. I would like first to thank and commend India and Liberia for the invitation and this very timely initiative. We shall be united on the necessity to protect the seafarers who work for the world's commodities and to protect the sea against all the threats that we face today. France is very committed, and we do fully support the objectives of this group of friends. We think that the priorities should be enforcing and promoting the international law, especially in close IMO standards and Maritime Labour Convention. as the common and minimum basis to be implemented. Working on seafarers' safety and well-being, in particular today for those stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and everywhere, and we support, of course, IMO efforts for the evacuation of those still blocked since months, and we present our condolences for those who died in their duty. then ensuring protection of marine biodiversity against all forms of pollution and against climate change. We think it would be also appropriate to raise awareness regarding the dangers of substandard shipping. We do not respect those minimum requirements, including, of course, social standards for the seafarers. With the increasing number of abandonment, and which also constitutes terrible threats on environment. So this group of friends would be the opportunity to reach out of other countries and also to shipping to advance the level of protection and to avoid illegal or substandard hiring of crews. I thank you.

Thank you, Ambassador, for your comment. I now invite the DG for Multilateral and Global Affairs of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sebastian Rogac, to make his statement.

Thank you very much, Ministers, Excellencies. Croatia thanks, of course, India and Liberia for the initiative to put the safety and security and well-being of shipping and seafarers high on the, or higher on the international agenda. I'll make three brief points. First, maritime security is not only about ships and trade routes, it is about resilience of our economies and ultimately about people. When insecurity disrupts vital sea lanes, the consequences quickly extend far beyond the maritime domain, affecting supply chains, food and energy security, transport costs, and ultimately the lives and livelihoods of people around the world. But in focusing on these economic and strategic consequences, we must not lose sight of the human dimension. Behind every ship and every supply chain are people, people who depend on secure access to food and energy, and very directly, the seafarers who keep global trade moving. For Croatia, this is particularly important. We are one of Europe's long-standing maritime nations. From the maritime tradition of the Dubrovnik Republic to the present day, the sea has been part of our history, our economy and our identity. Today, more than 15,000 Croatian seafarers serve in international navigation. More than 70% are officers. They make around 0.4% of our entire population, placing Croatia among Europe's top maritime nations. Their safety, dignity and well-being must therefore be an integral part of our understanding of maritime security. Second, we need to make better use of the frameworks we already have. UNCLOS remains fundamental, as does the central role of the IMO. But existing rules and instruments must translate into effective protection on the ground. This is where this group can make a useful contribution. It can bring together countries with different maritime perspectives, help share best practices and strengthen cooperation. It should be complement, not duplicate existing frameworks. Third and final, maritime security is also about connectivity and resilience. As co-founder of the Three Seas initiatives, which connects 13 EU member states between the Adriatic, Baltic and Black Seas, Croatia has focused on resilient transport, energy and digital connectivity. We also highlighted the strategic role of the Adriatic as the Mediterranean gateway to Central Europe. This gives us another perspective. Secure sea lines, resilient supply chains and the safety of seafarers are closely connected. Excellencies, If elected to the Security Council for the term 2030-31, Croatia will keep this topic high on the agenda. We need secure sea lanes, we need resilient trade, and we need to ensure that the seafarers who make this possible are safe. Thank you.

Thank you, Digi, for your comments. Now we invite Ambassador Ricky Suhendra, Director General of Law and International Treaties of Indonesian Foreign Ministry to make his statement.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Indonesia commends India and Liberia for this initiative. As the world's largest archipelagic state and one of the world's principal seafaring nations, Indonesia welcomes the establishment of the Group of Friends. More than a million Indonesians hold seafarer certification, and our crew serve across the world merchant fleet. Three of the world's critical choke points lie in our waters. When shipping is threatened anywhere, it is Indonesian families who wait for news. That is the perspective Indonesia brings. We are at once the coastal state that carries the risk and nation whose citizens crew the ships. Our first proposition is that cooperation on safety and security of shipping must be anchored in the law we already have. UNCLOS is the constitution of the ocean. It is complemented by SUA Convention, by SOLAS and ISPS Code, and by the work of the International Maritime Organization. Between them, these instruments answer most of the questions this group will ask. What they require is compliance, not replacement. The Council of the IMO saw in March what that framework can do when it is used. It demanded that attacks on shipping cease. It insisted that seafarers be guaranteed food, water, and contact with their families. It called for a safe corridor for those still trapped. Excellencies, our second proposition is that cooperation must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the coastal state. Cooperation among relevant states or parties must be consistent with international law. It must preserve freedom of navigation, at the same time respect the exclusive jurisdiction of coastal state as well as flag states. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has now said so plainly and has awarded compensation not only for the ship unfully detained, but for the suffering of its crew. The law protects seafarer, it must be allowed to do so. Our third proposition is that Indonesia comes to this group with something to offer. With Malaysia and Singapore, Indonesia has kept the Strait of Malacca and Singapore safe and open through the tripartite technical expert group for a half century and through the cooperative mechanism since 2007. Coastal state and user states sharing one burden entirely within the framework of UNCLOS. This group is to exchange best practice. That is the practice we can offer to share. And one more, finally, excellencies, equally important at the United Nations and initiated UNGA resolution 75/17 in December 2020, calling on state to recognize seafarers and marine personnel as the key workers. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Ambassador, for your comment. I now invite Ambassador Kaiharo Kentaro of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to please make your statement.

Thank you very much. I'd like to express my appreciation to our co-chairs for convening today's session. I would like to make a few remarks on today's very important topic on behalf of Foreign Minister Motegi. To ensure the safety and security of shipping and safe seafarers, respect for the rule of law and freedom of navigation at sea by all is paramount importance. This is why Japan has consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining and promoting a free and open maritime order based on the rule of law with UNCLOS at its cornerstone. This is one of the central pillars of the updated free and open Indo-Pacific announced by Prime Minister Takaichi in Hanoi this May. To this end, Japan has contributed to regional and multilateral counter-piracy efforts, such as sending our self-defense forces and Japan Coast Guard vessels off the coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. We have also supported the information sharing center of RECAP, located in Singapore, to enhance maritime law enforcement capabilities of participating states. As a fruit of these coordinated efforts, piracy incidents around the world have declined from peak level, which I hope will serve as a reassuring message for Minister Nayanti. However, attacks against commercial vessels across the world continue, jeopardizing the safety and maritime transport, and thus posing grave threats to the safety and welfare of seafarers. In particular, Japan attaches utmost importance as a matter of urgency to restoring free and safety navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb. We cannot accept the imposition of any additional costs for transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Such costs would increase the overall cost of energy and could have a significant impact on the global economy. We strongly believe that the future of this Strait should be discussed with all stakeholders involved including coastal states, user states, and the IMO. In the context of Ukraine, we would like to emphasize the importance of ensuring Ukraine's grain exports through free navigation in the Black Sea. In closing, maritime security is fundamental to international peace and security. Japan remains fully committed to working closely with the international community, including through the United Nations, to ensure the safety of shipping and the welfare of seafarers worldwide. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Ambassador. I now have the pleasure to invite Mr. Kirill Logvinov, Director, Department of International Organizations of the Russian Foreign Ministry, to make his statement.

Dear Madam Peaceful Unity, dear Mr. Jayasankar, ladies and gentlemen. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to India and Liberia for their acute and very timely initiative. The Russian Federation, with its territory washed by 13 seas or three oceans, strictly adheres to the provisions of international law of the sea, including first and foremost the key UN Convention of the Law of the Sea of 1982. Recent incidents at the sea have triggered a lot of dismay. Some countries have decided that they have right to stop, search, escort to ports, detain, and arrest any vessels in any part of the sea, even if they do not have the necessary jurisdiction for it. In fact, they resort to the methods of selective and politically motivated piracy. Russia considers these practices as a blunt violation of international law. Only those sanctions have approved by the UN Security Council shall be considered legitimate. Restrictive measures adopted unilaterally by individual states or group of states are neither international nor legitimate. The fact that unilateral sanctions contradict the international law has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the UN General Assembly resolutions. Such actions may lead to a degradation of the fundamental norms of the international law of the sea and trigger a chain reaction that will hold the global maritime trade system. The consequences will affect everyone, especially the states widely dependent on the sea logistics. Compliance with one of the most important freedoms of the high sea, which is freedom of navigation that provides transportation access and international economic interconnectedness, is a cornerstone for global seaborne trade and mutually beneficial cooperation. Maritime shipping accounts for approximately 90% of global trade transportation. It should be mentioned that all this responsibility primarily rests on people at sea. seafarers. Those right for fair work conditions should be respected. And it is them who become prime hostages of the ill-considered policies and unresolved tensions. Russia welcomes the consolidation of diplomatic efforts and supports the establishment of the proposed Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers. We believe that this multilateral platform will contribute to maintain the legal order established by international law, which is prerequisite for upholding global maritime trade and promoting prosperity and well-being of seafarers. Thank you.

Thank you, sir, for your comment. I now invite Minister Councillor Goncalo Silvestre of Portugal to make his statement.

Thank you very much. I wish to commend the governments of India and Liberia for their vision and leadership in promoting the creation of this group of friends. As a maritime nation, the security of shipping and the protection of seafarers is an issue of fundamental importance to my country. When the security of maritime routes is compromised, we are not just facing a sector-specific problem, but a direct threat to the resilience of global supply chains, energy security, and food security for millions of people. Therefore, Portugal condemns the escalating threats to navigation in critical routes such as the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. The 2 million seafarers driving the global economy are repeatedly caught in crossfire of conflicts. The threats, hijackings, and devastating health impacts affecting these professionals are not acceptable. Excellencies, Portugal is a coastal state with a profound maritime heritage. but also with the responsibility of being one of the top 10 flag states. Therefore, we feel a direct responsibility to protect the ships flying our flag and above all to ensure the protection of the crews operating on them. The respect of UNCLOS and support of IMO are cornerstone to the security and protection. Our reflection on maritime transport security must be intrinsically linked to a comprehensive vision of the oceans. As a country that co-hosted the UN Ocean Conference in 2022, Portugal maintains that there can be no truly prosperous and sustainable blue economy aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 14 without the basic premises of maritime security. Unstable, plundered, or dangerous oceans prevent the sustainable development of coastal communities and irreparably compromise the protection of marine ecosystems. In this regard, we welcome the creation of this group of friends with a spirit of practical cooperation. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Now we invite Procopius Tokaidis, legal expert from the mission of Cyprus to make your statement. The floor is yours.

Good morning. Good morning, Excellencies. The Republic of Cyprus thanks the government of the Republic of India and the Republic of Liberia for their invitation to join the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers. As a maritime nation with significant fleet presence and situated at the crossroads of the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East, Cyprus has a direct interest in the security of international shipping routes. We firmly believe that the uninterrupted functioning of international maritime transport is essential for global trade, economic prosperity and connectivity. Cyprus fully shares the concerns regarding the growing challenges confronting international shipping and seafarers, including evolving security threats, disruption to maritime trade routes, and the broader implications of geopolitical developments for the maritime sector. In this context, Cyprus welcomes this timely initiative aimed at strengthening international cooperation on issues of critical importance to global shipping and the welfare of seafarers. Cyprus also underlines that the safety and security of international shipping must be firmly grounded in international law. In this regard, UNCLOS sets out the legal framework within which all activities in oceans and seas must be carried out. It provides a robust framework for respecting the sovereignty and sovereign rights of states while safeguarding navigational rights and freedoms. We must therefore uphold the integrity of the convention and preserve its universal and unified character. UNCLOS also reflects customary international law and it is thus binding on all states irrespective of whether they are parties to the convention. Accordingly, the government of the Republic of Cyprus is pleased to express its support for the establishment of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers and confirms its willingness to join the initiative. We look forward to working closely with India and Liberia and all participating member states in advancing our common objective of ensuring a safe, secure and resilient maritime sector for the benefit of the global community and seafarers. Thank you.

Thank you, sir. I would also like to recognize the presence in the room of the Deputy Permanent Representative from Belgium and experts from Norway and Malaysia. Thank you for your kind presence. Excellencies, colleagues, we have heard the last speaker for the day. Today's discussions emphasize certain critical points. First, maritime trade is vital to humanity. Disruptions could have far-reaching implications in terms of delivery of essential supplies, particularly in terms of energy and food security, global supply chains and economic development, especially for countries of the global south, but for everyone. Maintaining stability and predictability of maritime trade is central to addressing peace, prosperity and overall development. Second, ongoing challenges The seafarers face in their daily work routine underscore the importance of drawing greater international attention to this critical issue. There is scope for wider discussion and closer engagement on this front. We remain open to welcoming more members to our group as we would function in a very inclusive manner. Third, establishment of this group is a good start. Two key themes under the consideration of the group are of immense importance for participants of today's meeting. We have heard these interesting views regarding the manner in which the group can be taken forward. Fourth, this group will be taken forward, as I said, in a very consultative manner. Modalities, terms of reference, frequency and format of meetings and consultations, and other associated aspects would be decided on the basis of today's discussions and further consultations. We will summarize the important points and engage with each of you to firm up these modalities. Finally, there are two key pillars of this group. Orientation is on action and focus is on drawing up practical measures. The group members must endeavor to engage in accordance with this fundamental founding spirit of this group of friends. Excellencies and colleagues, as today's meeting comes to a close, on behalf of the External Affairs Minister of India and the Foreign Minister of Liberia, I'd like to place on record my sincere thanks to each of you for attending today's meeting. Moving forward, I'm confident that we will interact regularly and build upon our discussions today. I look forward to continued engagement on this matter. I thank you once again and have a great day. Thank you.