Maritime Safety and Security: Protection of Seafarers - UN Security Council Arria Formula Meeting

to this meeting on maritime safety and security, protection of seafarers, which has been organized by Greece, India, and the Philippines in order to highlight the problems that seafarers encounter as a result of threats to maritime security and how they can be addressed. We are also very glad that this event has been co-sponsored by Denmark, Japan, Panama and Romania. We have first the honour and pleasure to hear a welcoming message from the Secretary-General of the IMO, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, I am honored to join you for this AREA Formula Meeting. I wish to thank Greece for organizing this event and highlighting the importance of seafarers, and the Philippines, Denmark, Panama, and all partners for placing the protection and safety of seafarers and the empowerment of women in the maritime sector at the center of our discussion. Shipping is one of the great enablers of the global economy. More than 80% of world trade by volume moves by sea, carried by around 1.9 million seafarers. These are civilian key workers whose safety and dignity are essential for the stability of global supply chains. And I have said before: no seafarers, no shipping, no shopping. Yet, too often, Seafarers have been at the front line of an intensification of attacks and threats, from piracy and armed robbery at sea to unlawful attacks on merchant ships. These attacks violate international law and the freedom of navigation. They are deplorable and unjustifiable. Ships must be allowed to trade worldwide, unhindered and in accordance with international law. Maritime safety and security are not just about routes, shipbuilding and cargoes. It is deeply human. In terms of piracy, IMO is strongly committed to providing support to Member States. IMO coordinates regional cooperation through mechanisms such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct and its Jeddah Amendment, which strengthen maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. Similarly, IMO supports the Yaoundé Code of Conduct in West and Central Africa to combat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. The implementation of IMO maritime security instruments remains critical in addressing the threats we currently face in an increasingly unstable geopolitical landscape. A secure maritime domain also depends on decent living and working conditions, and respect for the rights of the maritime workforce. Many seafarers still face abandonment, prolonged detention, and violence and harassment. Together with the International Labour Organization, IMO has worked to address, resolve, and prevent these issues by means of regulatory work and other effective measures, including provisions to help resolve abandonment cases, more quickly and improve the fair treatment of detained seafarers. IMO also adopted amendments to the Seafarers Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code to require mandatory training for all seafarers on preventing and responding to violence and harassment, including sexual harassment and bullying. We are working through the My Harassment Free Ship initiative to make zero tolerance a reality on every ship and every journey. Women are central to these efforts. Under the theme "Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety" and through IMO's long-standing Women in Maritime programme, built on training, visibility, and recognition, we are moving from statements to action. and supporting women to lead the maritime safety and security at sea and ashore. The significant increase in the criminalization of seafarers is also a source of concern and an obstacle to attracting new generations of seafarers. IMO and the ILO have been working jointly and adopted the Guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers detained in connection with alleged crimes. The protection of seafarers requires collective action by all parties: flag state, port state, and coastal state. I would like to suggest three essential elements with regard to your discussions today. Firstly, attacks on ships must not become commonplace or a means to geopolitical ends. International maritime transport serves the common interest and must be protected from geopolitical conflicts. Secondly, it is essential that the IMO and ILO instruments we already have are fully and effectively implemented, including the Maritime Labour Convention and the new STCW provisions on violence and harassment, supported by stronger enforcement by flag and port states, and by enhanced regional cooperation and capacity building. Third, There should be greater integration of seafarers' protection and meaningful participation by women into maritime security strategies, from risk assessments in crisis response to support services for affected seafarers and their families, to policies that enable women to serve safely and advance in the maritime sector. Our collective response must be rooted in prevention, vigilance, innovation, and strengthen regional and international cooperation. We share one ocean and one planet. Protecting those who work at sea is our shared responsibility. Thank you.

I thank the Secretary for his message. We welcome our briefers, who, based on their experience, will give us an insight of the various challenges that seafarers face in recent times, taking into account the increase of threats to maritime security. I now give the floor to Captain of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Antonios Doumanis, Seafarers Labor Director, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy of Greece.

Thank you, madam Chair. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, good morning from the Hellenic Coast Guard headquarters in Piraeus. I am honored to participate to this important event, and I would like to thank the organizers, and particularly the head of the Greek mission to the UN, her excellency, Abasandor Baltas, the kind invitation and for the opportunity to speak for the seafarers' rights, as well as the challenges they face as a result of multiple security crises. Firstly, allow me to begin my intervention drawing your attention to the real protagonists of the shipping industry: the seafarers. For generations, Seafarers have been the quiet force powering global trade, driving harsh seas and volatile routes with the evolving security threats, ensuring that goods keep moving across the world. Isn't it obvious that the discussion on maritime risks within the framework of the UN Security Council should consider the situation of seafarers? Unfortunately, the role of seafarers is often neglected. This has been highlighted during the pandemic and the subsequent security crisis, such as in the Red Sea, recent piracy threats and armed robbery attacks, and maritime accidents in war-risk areas around the globe. We should recall that the UN Task Force, established by the Secretary General to assess the impact of the pandemic on SIFARs, sent a surrounding message to all involved parties. We have to consider that with very few exceptions, ships are sailed by SIFARs. Security for the seafarers is a key factor in their happiness and the cornerstone of the attractiveness of the seafaring career for young generations. Allow me to mention some of the most important factors with a negative impact on seafarer security. In recent years, piracy threats and armed robbery at sea have surged. specifically in certain areas which pose a critical challenge. Regions such as Gulf of Guinea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Western Indian Ocean region have seen notably increases in maritime security events targeting commercial vessels. These high-risk zones have forced shipping companies to adopt additional measures and alternative routes. This resulted in increased costs while affecting sustainability and caused harmful effects to the marine environment. Recently, one Greek-owned vessel was attacked of the Somali coast, and the 24 crew members spent over 30 hours locked in the ship's citadel before getting back to freedom by a EU naval force. Abandonment is another major challenge faced by seafarers on board vessels. Abandonment is one of the shady practices of the shipping industry. where seafarers suffer cruel, inhuman, and life-threatening conditions. For the last two decades, the IMO and the ILO have been working together to develop a legal framework to protect abandoned seafarers. However, according to the statistics, the abandonment cases have been on the rise for five consecutive years. The criminalization of SFFARIS, along with the lack of fair and adequate treatment, has a severe negative impact and causes a feeling of insecurity and unfairness, resulting in SFFARIS questioning their career choice. It should be mentioned that according to the recent studies, the high rate of suicide among Sefarim is.

Linked with the criminalization of their profession.

At this point, allow me to draw your attention to a fundamental question. Should the Sefarim rights be suspended during global or regional security crisis? In my point of view, the answer is Clearly, no. Seafarers' rights shall not be suspended in times of crisis. On contrary, a time of crisis, the protective international legal regime must be most attentively applied. Concerning the international legal regime, the United Nations Convention on the law of the sea, the constitution of the oceans, sets out the legal framework within all activities at sea must be carried out, promotes cooperation, and provides the full, the peaceful resolution of any arising dispute. Regarding seafarers' rights, more specific provisions are included in the IMO conventions that apply to all ships, regardless of flag, and in the Maritime Labour Convention, MLC 2006. MLC, the MLC, also known as the Seafarers' Bill of Rights, was adopted in 2006. following a joint initiative by CIFARIS and shipowners to establish what could be the fourth pillar of international maritime regime, together with three important IMO conventions: SOAS, MARPOL, and STCW. The MLC consolidates and modernizes close to 70 conventions and recommendations adopted by the ILO since 1920, and aims at ensuring decent working and living conditions for seafarers and a level playing.

Field for vessel owners.

The Convention has today 110 ratification, representing more than 96 of the world's fleet and including the most important labor supply countries. Since it entered into force in 2013, the MLC has been amended five times, most recently this year, to reinforce existing protection and address emerging challenges. The MLC represents a success story on how to regulate labor rights effectively in an international sector and completes a robust legal framework for the protection of all seafarers. However, it is of vital importance that the national community to meet the arising challenges in the field of maritime security. In conclusion, I would like to stress that the cooperation of all involved parties within the UN and their specialized organization, IMO and ILO, is the most appropriate means to ensure safer working environment for all seafarers. taking always into account the UNCLOS fundamental principle of the freedom of the high seas. Safe and secure seafarers ensure that shipping continues to offer its valuable contribution to the world's prosperity. Thank you for your attention.

I thank Captain Dumanis for his insightful remarks. And now I pass the floor to Mr. Emmanuel Donato Guzman, Office of Maritime and Ocean Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Excellencies, fellow panelists, ladies and gentlemen. The Philippines is honored to co-organize with Greece and India, and join the other co-sponsors, Denmark, Japan, Panama, and Romania, in this important discussion on maritime security and the protection of seafarers, an issue that goes to the heart of our national identity and our role in the global maritime community. The Philippines, as a maritime nation and archipelagic state, has always regarded the ocean as central to our culture, our economy, and our way of life. Our sea-sustained communities shape our history and provide livelihood to millions. In a very real sense, Filipinos are people of the sea. We are deeply reliant on the blue economy, and we remain the world's leading supplier of seafarers, providing a little over 13% of the global workforce today, and historically as high as 25%. At one point, one in every four seafarers serving abroad vessels worldwide was Filipino. Because of these women and men, along with our fisherfolk and coastal communities, the Philippines has always been and will remain a champion for upholding human rights at sea. Yet protecting these rights is challenging. We are actively confronting the challenge of protecting human rights at sea in the context of enforcement measures, which remains one of the most pressing issues in the world today. The first challenge for us in enforcing human rights at sea is the fragmentation of legal frameworks. There is no single dedicated legal regime on human rights at sea. Instead, the relevant obligations are drawn from human rights law, labor law, maritime law, refugee law, and criminal law. UNCLOS, for instance, does not specifically mention the term "human rights" as it focuses mainly on the rights and obligations of states. However, specific provisions do touch on individual human rights, including duties of the flag state, Article 94 and Article 146, for example, provide for the effective protection of human life with respect to activities in the area. There's also the long-standing obligation to render assistance to any person at sea. Despite this, we continue to witness enforcement actions that disregard these legal limits, to the detriment of seafarers, migrants, coastal communities, and others whose lives and rights depend on safe and law sea. For the Philippines, it is essential that state sovereignty and national interest be exercised consistently the paramount need to protect individual human beings. Threats faced by seafarers, whether from piracy, attacks in conflict zones, unsafe navigation routes, or unlawful interdictions, carry broader implications for international peace and security. When seafarers are endangered, global trade routes are disrupted, shipping is forced to reroute, and stability in major maritime corridors is undermined. Protecting the safety and well-being of seafarers, thus serves as a preventive measure against wider maritime instability and helps preserve the predictability and security of global supply chains upon which all states depend. We are also very wary of efforts by countries to impose their domestic law on the maritime zones of other states, to the detriment of those who have lawful rights to those maritime zones in accordance with international law. Enforcement powers in internal waters, archipelagic waters, or the territorial sea should not come at the expense of international legal obligations to respect human rights at sea, as recognized by international tribunals under the law of the sea. Considerations of humanity must shape the exercise of the use of force or law enforcement powers, limiting such actions to instances where they are unavoidable, reasonable, and necessary under the circumstances. The protection of seafarers is one of the Philippines' highest priorities. In July 2024, the UN Human Rights Council adopted by consensus the landmark resolution on the human rights of seafarers, led by the Philippines and co-sponsored by 28 countries. This is the first resolution of its kind in the Human Rights Council, and it reflects growing global recognition that seafarers' rights require stronger, more coherent protection. Before it's adopted, we organized with the International Labour Organization a side event on working and living conditions at sea. We highlighted persistent challenges, uneven implementation of international labor standards, long contractual durations, mental health pressures, inadequate access to medical care, weak reporting mechanisms for abuses, and the difficulty of enforcing accountability when violations occur across multiple jurisdictions. Much more must be done to harmonize implementation of relevant conventions, strengthen flag state capacities, and ensure that seafarers can safely report abuses without fear of retaliation. During these discussions, we emphasized that protecting seafarers requires broad cooperation among States, shipowners, seafarers' unions, the ILO, the IMO, and civil society. A particular focus was ensuring that seafarers are fully aware of their rights to refuse sailing in dangerous or high-risk areas. To sustain momentum, the Philippines convened an International Conference on Seafarers' Rights, Safety, and Well-being in Manila to consolidate global efforts and promote practical solutions. The overall theme of the conference was, "No One Left Adrift: Seafarers at the Crosscurrents of Commerce, Conflict, and Change." We discussed upholding human rights, protecting seafarers in crisis situations, promoting gender equality and inclusivity, the place of seafarers in the just transition of maritime decarbonization. The key outcome was the Manila Declaration on Seafarers' Human Rights, Safety, and Well-being, which is a collective call to action to strengthen international cooperation, uphold the dignity of seafarers, and ensure their protection, especially in times of crisis. It is an important milestone towards advancing human rights at sea, ensuring that seafarers everywhere are protected at all times as they undertake the essential work of keeping global trade moving, connecting nations, and sustaining the world's supply chains. Domestically, the Philippines enacted the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers in September 2024. This important law aligns with the Maritime Labour Convention, the STCW Convention, UNCLOS, and other international instruments. The MLC's framework has been key to raising standards worldwide. Strengthening coordination among states in implementing the MLC, STCW, UNCLOS, and IMO instruments is essential to ensuring coherent, predictable, and rights-based protection for all seafarers, regardless of nationality or flag. The Magna Carta commits the Philippines to ensuring that violations of human rights at sea are met with appropriate action and effective sanctions, and that those responsible for such violations do not benefit from their unlawful conduct. This law aims to protect the rights and overall welfare of domestic and overseas Filipino seafarers, and it also established a one-stop service center for seafarers and strengthened safeguards during emergencies, such as maritime accidents. Allow me to share a recent example that underscores the importance of robust protections for seafarers: the case of the 17 Filipino crew members of the MV Galaxy Leader, held captive by Houthi rebels for 428 days. Their safe release was the result of tireless diplomatic efforts by multiple Philippine agencies and the cooperation of international partners, including the IMO, the Red Cross, Oman, Iran, and others. Throughout the seafarers' ordeal, humanitarian visits were facilitated, and families were regularly informed of their conditions and the status of negotiations. Since then, the Philippine government has remained vigilant in ensuring the welfare of Filipino seafarers, especially those who transit high-risk waterways. We constantly remind them of their right to refuse sailing, and we communicate this not only to seafarers, but also to their employers, to ensure that the invocation of this right will not be used against them. Finally, I want to acknowledge another challenge that deserves more attention. The limited representation of women in the global seafaring workforce, barriers ranging from gender stereotypes, safety concerns, harassment, unequal career progression, and the lack of gender responsive facilities continue to hinder women's participation. Empowering women in maritime work requires stronger protections against harassment, targeted training and scholarships, safe reporting mechanisms, and deliberate pathways for women to advance into officer and leadership roles. Ensuring that women can thrive at sea strengthens the maritime sector as a whole. The Philippines is keen on partnering with other like-minded countries with large numbers of overseas seafarers to ensure compliance with ILO conventions, IMO conventions, and other human rights instruments. These efforts can be advanced in bilateral, regional, and multilateral fora. It is only through genuine cooperation with like-minded countries that we can secure the full protection of the rights of all people at sea. I will end on that point. Thank you all very much.

I thank Mr. Emmanuel Donato Guzman for his thoughtful remarks. And now I give the floor to Dr. Bimal N. Patel, member of the International Law Commission, professor of international law at Rashtriya Raksha University, India.

Thank you. Excellencies, distinguished delegates. It is an honor to join and brief the ARIA formula meeting, focusing on a very important topic, global maritime safety and security through the protection of seafarers. I thank Greece, India, and Philippines for organizing, and Denmark, Japan, Panama, and Romania for the co-sponsorship. I would like to focus on five major strategic imperatives in this regard. First, threats to seafarers affect international peace, security, and trade, and there is a need for preventive enhanced protection. Threats to seafarers translate directly into strategic and economic risks. Incidents adversely affecting seafarers influence stability, energy, and food security. Attacks on civilian shipping and ports have underscored the significant humanitarian consequences for seafarers and the global community of states who are heavily dependent on open and secure sea. 150 piracy armed robbery incidents pointed by IMO in 2024 shows how each incident undermines freedom of navigation, raises insurance and freight costs, and trigger rerouting of vessels with knock-on adverse effects on many import-dependent states, including landlocked countries. The regional patterns show a dual spectrum of classical piracy and technologically enabled attacks. The Information Fusion Centre of the Indian Ocean Region of India shows, for example, that out of 227 incidents in 2024, only 16 occurred on the high seas, while 211 incidents, that is 93%, were inside coastal states' EEZ. highlighting vulnerabilities of nearshore traffic. A seafarer-centered security posture, including risk-based transit planning, reduces successful attacks and limits harm when incidents occur. When seafarers trust that flag states, labor supply states, and naval coalitions will protect them, they remain more willing to serve on essential routes, which in turn stabilizes trade flows and supports preventive diplomacy. For example, combined maritime forces, EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta, Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement initiatives. Enhanced protection of seafarers operates as a preventive measure for broader maritime stability. The existing legal framework was conceived for a different maritime world. In this regard, The ongoing ICRC Global IHL Initiative consultations show the international community's reflections, ideas, and recommendations for protecting civilian lives and livelihoods, including our seafarers. Second imperative: challenges to maritime labour are becoming more complex, dynamic, and require a multi-pronged approach. The impressive progress through Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and its amendments still leaves space for further advancement. As per ILO data from 51 reporting countries, occupational safety and health risks remain very high. An analysis of the joint ILO-IMO Abandonment Database shows persistence of cases where no financial security is in place and where flag states have not ratified or fully implemented this Convention. The third imperative Women empowerment in seafaring workforce. Current female representation at sea remains very low, despite gradual improvement. The BIMCO ICS Seafarer Workforce Report estimates that women make up about 1.2% or roughly 24,000 women seafarers. Structural barriers, stereotypes, and workplace design limit women's entry and progression. There are other challenges as well. But at the same time, positive trends and national initiatives demonstrate what is possible. India, for example, recorded a 739% increase in registered women seafarers between 2015 and 2024, and it set an ambitious target of 12% female representation in technical maritime roles by 2030 under its Sagar Samman, or gender-equitable maritime workforce initiative. The IMO Women in Maritime Program, VISTA, WIM Africa, regional associations, together with the collaboration between maritime private industry clusters and the International Association of Maritime Universities, offer great potential for networks, leadership programs, and visibility for women professionals. The fourth imperative: the 2006 Convention has significantly contributed to improve working and living conditions for seafarers, marking it alongside SOLAS, MARPOL, and STCW as one of the four core pillars of the maritime regulatory system. Thanks to the implementation of MLC and the 2014, 2016, and 2022 amendments, concrete improvements are visible on board ships and employment practices. The 2025 amendments, entering into force in 2027, in my view, will further this recognition of update welfare provisions, including in relation to pandemics and extended time at sea. Indeed, the 2006 Convention has catalysed national reforms and created a platform for continuous tripartite dialogue. Maintenant, je prononce la dernière partie en français.

Now I'll pronounce the last part in French. The fifth and last imperative verb to do. with the efforts of the international community to favor coordination and implement enforcement instruments to protect seafarers. First of all, this is a coordination of the coherent legal and political systems, sectoral systems such as SOLAS, MARPOL, ESPS, and others. definition of general detailed obligations, a practical approach consisting of a unique national action plan protecting seafarers, incorporating these instruments. Secondly, strengthening multinational mechanisms of sharing information, such as RICA, Djibouti Code, Jada Amendment, Yaounde Code, Ayawari mechanism that protects seafarers in real time. The working group was involved in setting up the database in order to collect maritime statistics, and this contributed significantly to preventing offenses. and earlier warnings and coordinated implementation of measures. Now, the Global Pact for the Protection of Seafarers, this is based on expensive database. Now, the Integrated Maritime Strategy of the blue economy in the CARICOM region and the island states in the Pacific shows how seafarers could be involved in protecting their own security and involved in sustainable development.

Seafarer navigating contested and climate-disrupted routes in the overall framework of the UNCLOS, our constitution for the oceans, today's discussion marks a turning point, a moment when we acknowledge in unison that to protect those who carry out trade, irrespective of flag, gender, or whether their home state is coastal, archipelagic, island, or landlocked, developing or developed, to give concrete effect to the evolving jurisprudence and to exercise preventive yet effective diplomacy before crises at sea erupt into conflicts on land. I thank you for your kind attention.

I thank Dr. Bimal Patel for his detailed and very interesting briefing. We will now have the pleasure to hear the intervention by a woman, Captain Eleni Papadopoulos, General Secretary, Masters and Mates Union of Greek Merchant Marine, on her experience as a woman sufferer.

Good morning. Thank you very much for the invitation. It is my great honor to represent all the women who have chosen to live their lives at sea. I'm currently a captain in the merchant marine, and I would like to share my journey as a Greek seafarer with you, a journey full of difficulties, but also filled with light. A woman's decision to become a seafarer is never a simple one. Even today, in a society where the sea is often identified with masculine strength, A young woman who declares that she wants to become an officer usually hears the same questions: "And how will you manage? Is this a life for a woman?" or "When will you have a family?" The greatest difficulty is not the sea itself, but the prejudice of the land. But that is where you learn to persist and step forward, because every ironic comment and every low expectation becomes fuel for you to move ahead. At the Academy, you realize that you are a minority. There are still teachers or classmates who believe that women can't handle the tough life on a ship. And yet, we can. Not because we are stronger, but because we are determined. Every day, you have to prove that you are not the girl there, but the true officer in training. And that's where your character is built. You learn discipline, cooperation, and respect for the power of the sea. The first time you board a ship is crucial. I remember how difficult it was to be the only woman on the crew. I could tell they didn't trust me, and some even doubted me. But with patience, persistence, and professionalism, I managed to change all that negativity. When they see that you know how to do your job, you are no longer the ship's wife, but an officer. Even when I worked on land in shipping companies, there was initially doubt. You always have to prove your worth through your work and contribution. And when it comes time to advance, many female seafarers encounter the familiar glass ceiling. Companies are often hesitant to hire or promote female officers, citing practical difficulties, the cabins, the family responsibilities, the need for protection. But behind all this lies the same old prejudice that the sea is not the right place for women. And yet, reality says otherwise. Female officers excel. They demonstrate discipline, organization, leadership abilities, and high professionalism. They can command ships, manage crisis, and inspire crews. Equality does not mean that women have to become men. It means that they can be themselves wherever they choose to stand. Every woman who becomes a second officer, chief officer, master, or engineer paves the way for the next one. Every girl who sees a woman on the bridge of a ship in a uniform and a hat grows up believing that this too is possible. This is our real struggle, to prevent the next ones from having to prove from the beginning that we have already earned with hard work. Balancing professional life is not easy. Absence leaves marks. But fortunately, times are changing, and more and more men are standing by our side, partners, not judges. Significant steps have been taken in order to improve conditions for women at sea, especially in the most recent MLC amendments, but there is more to be done. After years at sea, if I were asked if I would choose the same path again, the answer would be a resounding yes, because the sea told me that true seafaring has no gender. It has responsibility, passion, and soul. When it blows, it blows for everyone, and when it calms, it calms for everyone. All it asks for is respect and dedication, as well as equality. To all the women who look at the horizon and hesitate, do not be afraid. Shipping needs us, not as exception, but as part of the norm. Because at sea, when the winds are strong, it doesn't matter who is holding the helm. What matters is that we all pull in the same direction and reach our destination together. Thank you very much.

I thank Captain Eleni Papadopoulou for her clear-eyed analysis. If I'm allowed to make a personal remark on behalf of women, I congratulate you. I would like to remind delegations that the time of the intervention is three minutes. According to the list of speakers, I give the floor to the representative of Denmark.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And let me also thank our briefers today, and especially that last note about all traveling together and having the destination in mind. I think that also goes for the work we do here in the United Nations. With one of the 10 largest commercial fleets in the world, protecting seafarers is a high priority for Denmark, and we are pleased to co-sponsor today's ARIA meeting. As we have just heard, it's impossible to overestimate the extent to which global growth and development depends on commercial shipping, and hence the freedom of navigation that underpins this. It is only right that governments should discuss the threats that seafarers face while performing their vital duties. Seafarers face security challenges on a daily basis, from piracy and armed robbery at sea to hostage taking. such topics deserve our attention and action. While progress has been made in improving maritime security in regions such as the Gulf of Guinea and recently the Red Sea, seafarers still face significant risks. Ensuring that organized crime cannot abuse the freedom of navigation to transport illicit drugs remain critical. However, both the UN Office of Drugs and Crimes and the International Labour Organization have raised concerns about the treatment of seafarers detained in connection with such alleged crimes. Denmark recalls that all seafarers are entitled to the presumption of innocence and that any legal processes against these individuals must be in line with the highest standards. Madam Chair, there are also other less visible security challenges facing seafarers, which can negatively impact their physical and mental well-being. A stark example is so-called abandonment, with crews left without pay, food, or medical support. This reached shocking proportions during the COVID pandemic. Sailors were trapped on vessels across the globe, sometimes for more than a year, without any contact with their families. Regrettably, the risk of abandonment continues to this day. Madam Chair, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is the framework within which all activities in the ocean and seas must be carried out. It must be respected, defended, and implemented. The Council has a key role to play in ensuring international law is respected. Regrettably, we are witnessing a growing number of complex maritime threats, including attacks by non-state actors on commercial vessels, sabotage of critical on-the-sea infrastructure, and abuse of flag registries. We have particular concerns regarding substandard shadow fleets that use old, poorly maintained, and insufficiently insured vessels with opaque ownership and that exploit weak flag state oversight. These also pose environmental risks, and endangers the life of seafarers on board. Denmark supports greater transparency, including improved information sharing and vessel tracking, registry integrity, and industry cooperation to close regulatory loopholes. Madam Chair, in closing, a strong collective response to maritime threats is in all of our interest. Denmark underlines the vital role that commercial fleets and the seafarers, the crew on board them, perform. and urges all countries to ensure they can go about their duties in safety. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Denmark, and I now give the floor to the representative of Panama.

Thank you, Madam. Chairman, Panama would like to express its gratitude to Greece for organizing this meeting, which makes it possible to maintain maritime security, which is a topic of extreme importance for the Republic of Panama, to maintain it at the heart of debate, underscoring the critical importance of this topic for international peace and security. I'd like to express our sincere gratitude to the distinguished keynote speakers for their valuable interventions. enrich this important event. As Panamanians, we are very proud to have at this meeting the participation of the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, distinguished Panamanian, whose leadership in the area of international maritime affairs is a source of inspiration and honour for all of us. Madam Chair, the development of international commerce is intrinsically linked to maritime transport, which plays an essential strategic role for efficient and economically profitable exchange of goods, thus fostering prosperity among nations. Today, about 80% of global trade moves via maritime paths, with over 100,000 commercial ships navigating daily international waters at a volume of estimated 11 billion tons of merchandise transported every year. This logistical effort rests on the work of almost 2 million men and women seafarers who are the human pillar that sustains the operation of maritime routes and protection of the oceans. In recognizing this reality, many countries have considered seafarers as a special category of workers, designating them even as essential workers. However, These figures and recognition acquire even greater relevance in today's context, which has been characterized by an erosion of respect for international law, and in particular, the law of the sea. This weakens the existing legal frameworks. In the area of maritime security, we note with concern illicit practices used to evade sanctions, such as identity theft, falsification of registries, spoofing, and ship-to-ship clandestine transfers that put at risk crews and affect the integrity of navigation. In parallel, we have seen an increase in attacks against commercial ships and vessels on strategic routes, including acts of piracy, armed robbery, and abduction. These incidents demonstrate that the efforts of certain actors to undermine the stability of international maritime transport. We believe that modern maritime traffic should focus on seafarers. With this in mind, panama as a maritime nation and one of the main flag states has reaffirmed its international leadership in defense of the rights and the well-being of seafarers. Panama, as a permanent headquarters of the Network of Women Latin American Maritime Authorities since its creation in 2017 under the Declaration of Valparaiso, is leading regional coordination to promote training, visibility, and opportunities for women in the maritime sector, reaffirming thus our commitment to gender equality in a more diverse and competitive sector. All crews aboard a commercial vessel flying a Panamanian flag has a valid maritime passport, which is an internationally recognized transport that serves as identification of the crew and maintains detailed registry of its embarkations and disembarkations. Also, My delegation, through the Maritime Authority of Panama, has strengthened the protection of the rights of seafarers through norms that guarantee safe labor conditions, sufficient medical care, and safeguards in the face of harassment and violence. These actions are in the framework of the work of the International Maritime Organization and the Special Tripartite Committee on the Convention on Maritime Work, whose efforts to improve the well-being of seafarers we have supported, always allow me to I would like to conclude by stating that maritime security and the prosperity of nations depend, in essence, on the protection and the well-being of seafarers. Their well-being is not only a right, but also an essential requirement to safeguard international commerce. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Panama, and I now give the floor to the representative of Algeria.

I thank you, madam Chair. At the outset, I thank Greece, India, and Philippines.

For organizing this ARIA formula meeting on maritime safety and the protection of seafarers.

I also thank the briefers for their valuable insights. Yes. Seafarers are the backbone of global trade. We fully support International Labour Organization and International Maritime Organization efforts to ensure seafarers' safety, welfare, and mobility, including for women, and to promote safe and inclusive workplaces. Madam Chair. Global maritime security faces complex threats, ranging from piracy, armed robbery against ships, organized crime, maritime terrorism, and illegal fishing. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, strengthening international cooperation, information sharing, and capacity building. All undertakings must strictly adhere to the framework established by the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea and relevant IMO instruments. In this regard, we emphasize the pivotal role of coastal states in maintaining maritime security and combating illicit activities within their jurisdiction and through regional cooperation mechanisms. Regional initiatives provide important tools. Algeria supports the Yaoundé architecture in the Gulf of Guinea, which promotes coordination, surveillance, and capacity building. This model deserves sustained international support. Closer to home, the Mediterranean must remain a zone of peace, security, and cooperation. Algeria submits annually to the General Assembly a draft resolution on strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region. The last resolution, 79/76, was adopted on 2 December 2024, aims to strengthen security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region by encouraging dialogue among states and common traits, promoting confidence-building measures, and supporting political, economic, and social cooperation with the backing of international organizations. We encourage the international community to effectively implement instruments protecting ceasefires, support developing countries in capacity building, empower women in the maritime sector, enhance practical cooperation and information sharing among ports, states, and international organizations. Algeria believes that all initiatives aimed at enhancing maritime safety and security must be pursued with due respect of the sovereignty of states and they must settle disputes by peaceful means in line with the principle enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. In this regard, we note the growing role played by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, which contributes to the rule of law and the harmonized and comprehensive interpretation of relevant international norms. In conclusion, Algeria reaffirms its commitment to global efforts to safeguard maritime security and protect seafarers. The safety and well-being of seafarers are essential for a stable maritime domain and the prosperity of all. As we look forward to the fourth UN Ocean Conference in 2028, we must ensure that human dimension of maritime security remains a central pillar of the global ocean agenda. I thank you.

Representative of Algeria, and I give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom.

Thank you, Chair. I thank Greece, India, and the Philippines, and the other co-sponsors for convening us today. And I thank our distinguished briefers for their informative remarks on this important topic. Chair, keeping maritime trade routes open is vital to our shared economic prosperity. In this regard, we condemn the attacks committed by the Houthis in the Red Sea over the last two years and stand against illicit activities which threaten the lives and livelihoods of seafarers and endanger global maritime security. The United Kingdom is implementing programmes to target organised crime groups to disrupt such activities across maritime routes and seaways. We are also supporting capacity building and the strengthening of governance at seaports. The protection of seafarers is an essential element of the global maritime security architecture. As we meet today, many seafarers are working aboard vessels traversing insecure and high-risk areas, facing very real risks to their well-being. Chair, the United Kingdom acknowledges and welcomes that the Maritime Labour Convention has improved seafarers' welfare. However, we need more concerted efforts from States, industry and all stakeholders to drive further change. I wish to briefly highlight three areas in this regard. Firstly, seafarers must be better protected from abandonment. Cases continue to increase, with significant impact on the financial welfare and mental health of seafarers and their families, despite amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention. Second, Careers at sea should be safe and inclusive. The new guidelines on violence and harassment are welcome, but their implementation requires robust and impartial procedures to ensure any incident can be reported without fear of recrimination. More broadly, we encourage companies to address both onboard and shore-based culture to support greater diversity, including gender diversity. In this regard, we support the Global Maritime Forum's All Aboard Alliance and their strategy to make seafaring more inclusive. Third, to support seafarers' overall well-being, access to shore leave should be considered a right. Policies to support parental rights should be consistently implemented, including more flexible working patterns, and measures to address fatigue, mental, and physical health should be put in place. Chair, for our part, we are improving working standards for all seafarers in UK waters through the Seafarers Wages Act and the forthcoming mandatory Seafarers Charter. The United Kingdom remains an active participant in the work of the International Labour Organization and the International Maritime Organization, and we will continue to work with industry to improve the overall work environment for all seafarers. We look forward to continuing to work with all Member States and stakeholders to strengthen protection of seafarers and to secure the safety of our seas. I thank you.

I thank the representative of the United Kingdom, and I now give the floor to the representative of Guyana.

Thank you, Chair. And Guyana welcomes the convening of today's area formula meeting on maritime safety and security with a focus on the protection of seafarers. We thank Greece and the co-sponsors for their leadership on this issue, considering the challenges facing maritime workers on the high seas. My delegation also extends its appreciation to the briefers for their insightful contributions. Chair, the increased threats against seafarers, which often disrupt global commerce, have become an alarming trend. These threats must be curtailed to safeguard the right to freedom of navigation in accordance with international law. A recent example is the attacks on merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea which resulted in the Security Council’s adoption of resolution 2722 last year and resolution 2787 this year. Although the Security Council has previously addressed matters of maritime security on multiple occasions, the adoption of the recent resolutions and press statements underscores the necessity for the Council to maintain sustained attention on the issue and to keep maritime safety and security a priority on its agenda. Chair, threats against seafarers extend beyond hostilities such as piracy, armed robberies, and hostilities. As outlined in the concept note, and of equal concern is the abhorrent treatment of seafarers by their employers in contravention of the Maritime Labour Convention. Such practices must be a source of collective concern and urgent action. We commend the recent amendments to the convention earlier this year to boost the protection of seafarers' rights and strengthen protections against violence and harassment, and improve the administration of medical care. It also mandates states to cooperate with IMO and ILO standards in instances of maritime incidents. Guyana welcomes these developments and looks forward to their timely entry into force. Chair, against this backdrop, I will offer three additional reflections. At the heart of the international community's response is the urgent need to fully implement the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Seas. Prioritizing the full implementation of UNCLOS is not a mere option, but a responsibility. Guyana urges all states that have not yet done so to become a party to the convention. Secondly, empowering seafarers and their fundamental rights under the Maritime Labour Convention must form part of the solution. States should ensure that seafarers are aware of their rights in instances, for example, where vessels go dark by switching off the automatic identification system transponders for IUU fishing and other illicit activities. Blind maritime operations affects the ability to conduct real-time rescue missions during hostilities. and undermine response times during collisions. Lastly, the international community's role in fostering collaboration is crucial to reducing operational risk. We must all contribute to INTERPOL's efforts to improve maritime information sharing, enhance UNCLOS enforcement, and facilitate technology transfer to strengthen the international maritime security architecture, particularly for developing countries. Each of us has a part to play in this global endeavor. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Guyana and I now give the floor to the representative of France.

Thank you, Madam President. First of all, I'd like to thank Greece, India, and Philippines for having organized this meeting. And on the maritime safety and security and the protection of seafarers, I'd also like to thank all the other countries for having supported this, Denmark, Japan, Panama and Romania, I'd like to thank Mr. Antonio Dominguez, Mr. Guzman, Dr. Vimal Patel, and Commander Eleni Papadoulou for their briefings. Madam Chair, I'd like to highlight four points. Firstly, the security of maritime spaces and seafarers involves the respect for international law. UNCLOS defines the legal framework in which all maritime activities must take place. France reiterates its commitment to freedom of navigation whilst respecting international law. France commends the action of the IMO, which plays a key role in establishing high common shared standards in the area of maritime security and safety, preventing and combatting ocean pollution, and ensuring the well-being of seafarers. France calls for the need to respect internationally recognized norms and practices by the IMO, and calls on those states that have not yet done so to ratify the CAT agreement of the IMO pertaining to security on fishing vessels. The protection of seafarers also involves the respect of the MLC, the Maritime Labour Convention of the ILO, that stipulates the rights, working conditions, and living conditions for 1.5 million seafarers. The Security Council would like to highlight this. The Security Council has a responsibility to ensure the respect for the law of the sea and strives for the peaceful settlement of disputes. as part of Article 36 of the UN Charter. This is my second point. Nonetheless, the maritime space is a theater of transnational threats affecting the safety of seafarers. These threats call for a collective and coordinated response. There are hybrid attacks in the high seas, such as jamming of navigation systems, manipulation of automatic identification systems, and forms of harassment targeting civilian vessels. These undermine the security of crews off the coast of Yemen. The Houthis, supported by Iran, must stop their destabilizing attacks and their violations of the arms embargo. Mr. Guzmán has talked about this situation. It's particularly worrisome. Facing the attacks of the Houthis, the primary victims of which are seafarers, France remains mobilized as part of the ESPEDAS EU operation. In its resolution 2722, the Security Council reiterated the right that member states have, in line with international law, to defend their vessels against such attacks. Madam Chair, the risk of accidents at sea is increasing because the proliferation of so-called shadow fleets, exposing seafarers to dangerous working conditions and increasing the risk of major incidents. The work of criminal groups involved in different types of trafficking, trafficking of migrants and drugs in particular. in Latin America, Europe, and West Africa is seriously worsening the situation. France reiterates its support for Interpol, which works to bolster maritime and port security in line with organizations in the sector. We would encourage international cooperation, such as projects undertaken by UNODC and the International Customs Organization, to ensure the security of ports and the container control program. Maritime and port Maritime safety linked to drugs trafficking is a priority of the European Coalition against Drugs, initiated by the French President. Alongside 38 Member States of the European political community, the Council of Europe and the European Commission, we are determined to strengthen our international cooperation efforts. As the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs announced regarding the initial roadmap on combating narco-trafficking, France is committed to promote maritime safety and security in several regions. Our priority is to strengthen the capacity of our partners with robust regional architecture so that coastal states can, on their own, ensure the security of their maritime areas in the Gulf of Guinea. For example, this is reflected through support for the Youndi architecture. In 2026, France will take up the co-chair of the G7++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea, France. will support the capacities of nations in the region through the Operation Corumba and the SIRENE program. It has also set up two national vocational training schools in Abidjan, in Côte d'Ivoire, and Tika, in Equatorial Guinea, for maritime security. So we are working in the Gulf of Guinea with our European partners. We're also seeking to make maritime spaces more safe as part of multilateral efforts. We have the ESPIDES program, and within that, France is contributing. to combat piracy and trafficking in the northwest of the Indian Ocean. And through the Irini operation, we want an effective embargo on arms for Libya. And we are also through this combating drugs trafficking. We are working in the Black Sea. There's a need to ensure security for food security since the Russian aggression against Ukraine. France has supported efforts to guarantee the protection of civilian vessels, the security of seafarers, and the export of grain from the Black Sea. We are concerned by the area in the South China Sea where there's no restriction on the exercise of rights and liberties in UNCLOS, in particular liberties in the high seas. No exception or restriction to that can be accepted. France is opposed to all use of force here. I do have many points here, but this is a very important meeting. My final point is that the security of seafarers is inextricably linked to the protection of their environment and combating pollution and climate change. France has embraced the responsibility of protecting the oceans and the sustainable management of ocean resources. We co-organised with Costa Rica the third UN Conference on the Oceans in Nice. Significant progress was made in signing and ratifying several international agreements. France condemns all unilateral attempts that run counter to international law. but we are investing 1 million euros in the pact. So, in conclusion, in an increased maritime context where 90% of global trade uses the oceans, protecting maritime routes and seafarers is a key issue. The safety and security of seafarers calls for collective resolute action. It involves strengthening cooperation between different bodies concerned. You can count on France in different areas of maritime safety and security, and in particular the protection of seafarers? Thank you very much.

I thank.

The representative of France for his remarks, and I now give the floor to the representative of the United States.

Thank you, Ambassador, and to all the briefers, and of course to the organizers and co-sponsors of this very important event. President Trump has directed firm action to safeguard freedom of navigation and maritime security. Seafarer welfare would be improved by addressing the threats to maritime traffic. Terrorism is one of the largest threats to international peace and security. For example, the Houthis have terrorized maritime traffic passing through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for years, affecting 30% of all international container traffic. They have killed and detained innocent sailors. Moreover, it is Iran's support in defiance of Security Council resolutions that enables this activity. Iran also threatens the safety of seafarers more directly through its unlawful seizure of vessels exercising navigational rights and freedoms. China's provocative and dangerous actions in the South China Sea are of serious concern to the United States. We have consistently expressed concern with China's sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea and its coercive actions to advance them. President Trump recognizes the value of a strong and expert maritime workforce. Under his leadership, the United States has taken steps to restore U.S. maritime dominance. This includes support to merchant mariners who are vital to our nation's economy and security. The United States Coast Guard is making historic investments in technology to provide a streamlined process for seafarers to receive merchant mariner credentials. Improving the mariner credentialing program ensures a robust pool of qualified seafarers for timely crew rotations, reducing stress, and improving the quality of shipboard life. While the United States has not adopted the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006, the U.S. Coast Guard established a voluntary inspection program for vessel owners and operators to document compliance with MLC standards. The United States commercial vessels that enter the ports of countries that are parties to the MLC are encouraged to participate. The U.S. Coast Guard also works side by side with maritime officers of other countries, especially those in the Pacific, to enforce laws against IUUF, trafficking in persons, and drug smuggling. These Ship Rider Agreements are a critical component of maritime law and enforcement. The United States welcomes an opportunity to discuss the expansion of shipwright patrols to protect those waters which bring so much economic and cultural benefit to our ocean faring friends. Through these and other measures, the United States ensures the well-being of seafarers who are crucial to security and global prosperity. Thank you for this opportunity.

I thank the representative of the United States, and I now give the floor to the representative of the Republic of Korea.

Thank you, President. I appreciate Co-organizing missions, Greece, India, and Philippines for convening this meeting on maritime security. I also thank the insight prepared. As a peninsular nation that depends on maritime transport for 99% of its trade, the Republic of Korea fully agrees that sea ferries comprise the very backbone of the global supply chains. Yet at the same time, they continue to face increasing risk from the piracy, terrorism, armed attacks, and unsafe maritime practice. Such threats directly endanger lives and undermine freedom of navigation, thereby posing risk to maritime security. Protecting seafarers must therefore be viewed as the essential pillar of maritime stability. In this regard, let me briefly highlight the following key points. First, protecting seafarers from the maritime security threats requires strong and coordinated collective responses at the global level. Transnational maritime crimes, including trafficking and smuggling and piracy and armed robbery, continues to undermine regional stability and expose seafarers to significant danger. These direct threats remain acute across major shipping corridors, including the Red Sea and the Strait of Malacca, where seafarers conduct essential operation in the face of the heightened risk. For our part, we are actively contributing to address this risk. We have deployed a naval unit to the Gulf of Aden to escort vessels, deter piracy, and respond to distress situation in high-risk waters. Korea also has constructively participated in multilateral initiatives such as the Contact Group on Illicit Maritime Activities in the Western Indian Ocean and combating piracy and armed robbery against ships in Asia. Looking ahead, we emphasize the need to strengthen maritime domain awareness, expand joint surveillance and information sharing, and make the best use of such technologies such as AI to enhance situational awareness and protect shipfarers from the evolving threats. Second, we must fully implement the maritime international legal frameworks that underpin the protection of shipfarers. Protecting seafarers from the external maritime security threats is essential, but ensuring safety working condition within the shipping industry is equally critical to maintaining maritime safety. The UNCLOS and SOLAS conventions constitute core legal foundation in this regard, including obligation on safe navigation and search and rescue, which are essential for seafarers' work. In particular, the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention, which set out the rights and working conditions of seafarers is indispensable. Korea ratified this in 2014 and has implemented it through its domestic Seafarers Act and related regulations. We urge Member States to ratify and implement the MLST so that seafarers around the world can better ensure their rights under the shared and coherent international framework. Third, greater efforts are needed to eliminate discrimination and advance women's empowerment in the maritime sector. Women account for only a small share of the global seafaring workforce yet face unequal opportunities, unsafe conditions, and harassment. However, we believe that achieving gender equality and binding Bringing more diverse perspectives to the maritime domain are essential for both strengthening resilience and fostering innovations. In this connection, Korea has revitalized its Shipfarer's Act, including provisions of maternity protection in line with the MSC. Korea has also worked closely with the IMO to promote gender-inclusive maritime training, including through the transformative initiatives such as the Smart Sea Women Project, which has helped enhance the expertise of women maritime professionals. We firmly believe that empowering women at sea is not only a matter of equity, but a strategic investment in a safer, more resilient, and more capable maritime security environment. In conclusion, the Republic of Korea remains committed to advancing international cooperation to ensure that seafarers can work safely, in dignity, and with the full protection they deserve. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Korea for her remarks, and I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

We welcome the discussion on this particular issue.

Yeah, it's fine.

Thank you. Thank you. As one of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean, with overwhelming reliance on the seaborne trade, Pakistan attaches paramount importance to maritime safety and security. Pakistan's vision of geo-economics revolves around harnessing its geostrategic location for enhancing connectivity and regional economic integration based on open sea lines of communications. The global maritime domain is facing increasing challenges due to the intensifying geopolitical competition, The myriad non-traditional threats ranging from piracy, terrorism, and human trafficking to disruption of supply chains and climate-induced risks have added another layer of complexity. Safety and protection of seafarers is one of the notable challenges. The untiring labor of seafarers sustains global maritime trade and connects societies and economies. Despite rapid improvement in their working conditions, seafarers continue to grapple with a plethora of challenges, including piracy, robbery and abandonments. In recent years, attacks on merchant ships and commercial vessels have not only jeopardized international trade, but have also put at risk the lives of many seafarers. Chair, Pakistan contributes approximately 25,000 seafarers to local and international shipping companies. Our seafarers have won accolades for their professionalism, industry, and commitment. During the 33rd session of the ILO Governing Body in Geneva this year, Pakistan ratified the Maritime Labour Convention, widely recognized as seafarers' bill of rights. It establishes the rights of seafarers to fair and safe living and working conditions and ensures a level playing field for ship owners. The ratification of MLC is a reaffirmation of Pakistan's commitment as a responsible seafaring state. It marks a major step towards aligning the country with international maritime standards and for ensuring protection not only for national seafarers, but also for all those entering Pakistani ports. In the run-up to its entry in force of Pakistani flagships on 14 March 2026, Pakistan is in the process of ensuring domestic compliance measures, including updating the management system of ship operators, their employment contracts, shipboard facilities, and related documentation. Chair, as a responsible coastal state whose security and economic development hinges on maritime industry, Pakistan looks forward to working with all peacekeeping nations in the region and beyond for furtherance of maritime peace and security and the well-being of seafarers. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Pakistan for his remarks, and I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

Madam Chair, we note that over the past six months, the Council or its members have discussed maritime security for three times already. We are not disputing the fact that it plays an important role in ensuring global stability and warrants the attention of responsible members of the international community. However, we do not support consideration time and again by the Security Council or its members of aspects of this topic that do not directly pertain to the work of the Council or come under the remit of other specialized bodies that have specific expertise and experience in this area. Right now, we're being asked to focus discussion on the protection of seafarers and ensuring appropriate working conditions for them. It's noteworthy that in today's concept note, the authors rightly point out that this issue is already in the purview of the International Maritime Organization and the International Labor Organization. There's also confirmation of broad and robust international legal bases that regulate the rights and status of seafarers. Noting the sufficiency of existing measures for ensuring and guaranteeing the effective protection of this category, and as a result, the sustainability of global maritime trade is important. So therefore, we are not convinced that there is an opportunity or a need for the Council or its members to make a substantive contribution into discussing this highly specialized issue. Madam, in our opinion, the Security Council, in the context of matters of maritime security, should focus on challenges of direct threat to international peace and stability. In this regard, we agree with the concept note that the risk of disruption to global supply chains does indeed come under that category. Here, we would draw attention to the issue of unilateral coercive measures, UCMs. These actions run counter to international law, which present a real and serious threat to global maritime trade. They disproportionately affect the interests of the most vulnerable states as well. This instrument is actively being harnessed by a number of Western states, primarily the EU member states, and is part of their so-called rules-based order. Recently, we've noticed increasing unlawful acts that are in gross violation of the fundamental norms of UNCLOS of 1982 and also the integrity of its regime. These actions develop UCMs to create artificial barriers and threaten maritime trade. We underscore that UCMs are, per se, unlawful and their use runs counter to the UN Charter. However, this does not prevent states that use UCMs to refer to circumstances for avoiding such unlawful measures and enables them to pin on the vessel the label that it belongs to a so-called shadow fleet. I'd like to underscore that UNCLOS, in principle, does not use the term shadow fleet. This is yet another ruse by Western countries to carry out unfair competition using non-economic means. We are all well aware of what this leads to, further complicating logistics and increasing the price of goods for consumers. This primarily affects developing countries. Madam, touching on maritime security, we cannot fail to mention the actions of individual states which whip up tensions in regions that are usually located far from their own borders. And this is presented as naval operations to allegedly support freedom of navigation. Now, there's another issue, the increasing encroachment or trampling of the fundamental rights to peaceful and transit passage. and freedom of navigation. Particularly zealous attempts are being made here by the Baltic countries. We all remember the notorious case of the attempts to take by force a tanker that was moving in international waters. As justification for this, we were told that it was to combat the shadow fleet, but this had no international legal justification whatsoever. The law of the sea states that coastal states must not stop other flag states to inspect them. What we are talking about when such vessels are stopped are attacks on freedom of navigation. These are fundamental norms of customary international law established in UNCLOS, the unviability of such norms and the principles of the sole jurisdiction of the flag state regarding the vessel to provide a stable and predictable international maritime trade systems is absolutely crucial. This is why the convention contains an exhaustive list of situations whereby the states can stop states to investigate But that list has no mention whatsoever of the term, the so-called shadow fleet. Therefore, intercepting a vessel for any other reason than those listed in the 1982 Convention is a gross violation of the freedom of navigation, the right to peaceful transit. So I hope that everybody understands this. In conclusion, we would like to underscore the importance of strict compliance by all responsible members of the international community with the provisions of UNCLOS of 1982. Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation and I now give the floor to the representative of Somalia.

Madam Chair, let me begin by expressing Our appreciation to Greece, India, and the Philippines for convening this important discussion on the protection of seafarers.

We also thank the co-sponsors for their leadership on this issue. For Somalia, the security of the maritime domain is a matter of deep national significance.

As the country with longest coastline on mainland Africa, sitting

across a vital route of global commerce, we are acutely aware that the safety of our oceans is inseparably linked to the safety of the men and women who navigate them. Seafarers are the lifeblood of the global economy, moving 90% of the world's trade, yet they remain vulnerable to an evolving array of risks. In this regard, I would like to highlight three key points. First, the protection of seafarers is inseparable from the broader security of the coastal states. We believe that the most effective way to protect seafarers is to strengthen the capacity of the coastal states. It's widely recognized that efforts to address maritime threats are mostly effective when these states possess the necessary capabilities to police their own waters. It's required sustained support to enhance maritime capabilities, ensuring that coastal states can respond swiftly to distress calls and incidents. By empowering coastal nations, we create a safer environment for international shipping and the seafarers who sustain it. Second, We must address the root cause of maritime insecurity. Poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunity can drive individuals towards criminal activities. In particular, we must acknowledge that illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is one of the driving root causes that turns

local fishermen toward criminal activities at sea.

When vital marine resources are depleted by foreign vessels, it destroys livelihoods and creates a desperate environment that jeopardizes the safety of seafarers. Therefore, a holistic approach is required. We must invest in the blue economy and sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities. By addressing these systematic issues, we create a safer environment for seafarers and local alike. Third, we affirm the importance of the international legal frameworks. My delegation welcomes the recent amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, the Seafarers' Bill of Rights, and supports the work of the IMO and ILO in addressing the persistent issue of seafarer abandonment. Somalia remains committed to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the legal foundation for all activities in the oceans.

We call for greater international cooperation to

ensure that the rights of seafarers are upheld and that those who threaten their safety are held accountable. To conclude, Somalia reaffirms its commitment to working constructively with the international community ensure that our seas remain safe, secure, and prosperous, not just for global trade, but for the essential workers who make it possible. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the representative of Somalia for his remarks, and I now give the floor to the representative of China.

I thank Greece, India, and the Philippines for organizing this meeting. I also thank the briefers for their briefings. Seafarers are the builders of the international trade and maritime transport system and an essential force in promoting economic development and intercultural exchange and integration. Against the backdrop of an increasingly volatile international landscape and the persistent rise of maritime crime, it is imperative for all countries to strengthen cooperation and jointly safeguard the safety of seafarers. I wish to share a few observations. First, the resolution of hot spot issues must be promoted. In recent times, tensions have risen in regions such as the Red Sea and the Caribbean Sea. All relevant parties should earnestly abide by the purpose and principle of the UN Charter, resolve differences through dialogue and consultations, and avoid military confrontation, so as to provide a stable environment and necessary facilitation for the normal passage of commercial vessels. Reports indicate that the Houthi group has ceased attacks on Israeli and Red Sea commercial vessels. All sides should seize this window of opportunity to resume dialogue and negotiations so as to relaunch the peace process. Second, maritime law enforcement cooperation should be strengthened. Piracy, armed robbery at sea, terrorism, transnational crime, and other illicit activities pose serious threat to the safety of seafarers. All countries should, on the premise of respecting the sovereignty of coastal states, intensify efforts to combat maritime crimes and deepen cooperation in areas of information sharing, patrolling, and search and rescue operations, while helping developing countries enhance their capacity building. China supports the active role played by multilateral organizations such as UNODC and IMO. Third, the basic rights and interests of seafarers must be safeguarded. The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 is regarded as the seafarers' bill of rights and has seen many revisions and improvements in recent years. All countries should, in accordance with the provisions and spirit of the Convention, provide seafarers with a safe working environment, fair employment opportunities, decent working and living conditions on board, and essential forms of basic social security, thereby supporting the high-quality development of the shipping industry. 4. Global ocean governance must be improved. Safety of seafarers require a fair and effective global ocean governance. We must fully uphold the international maritime order based on international law and interpret and apply UNCLOS in a comprehensive, accurate, and good faith manner. It is essential to practice genuine multilateralism, support the UN in playing a constructive role in promoting ocean protection and sustainable use of marine resources, and advance the implementation of the SDGs. Chair, as a major developing maritime country, China actively fulfills its international legal obligations under the UNCLOS and the MLC 2006, among others. We continue to provide a wide range of maritime public goods to the international community and have dispatched 48 escort task force to the Gulf of Aden and the waters of Somalia. China stands ready to work with all parties in relentless efforts to build a maritime community with a shared future. Chair, I wish to briefly respond to the statement made by the U.S. representative. The United States has deployed offensive weapons in the South China Sea region, including land-based intermediate-range missiles, and under the banner of "freedom of navigation," it frequently sends military ships and aircraft to show off its power. Moreover, it openly sows discord among countries in the region. The United States is, in fact, the greatest threat to security and stability in the South China Sea. China is committed to properly managing maritime disputes with relevant parties through dialogue and consultation, based on

respect for historical facts and international law.

Thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in South China Sea has generally remained stable.

We have both determination and capability to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation.

Thank you, Chair.

I thank the representative of China, and I now give the floor to the representative of Sierra Leone.

Madam Chair, Sierra Leone is pleased to participate in this important AREA Formula Meeting on Maritime Safety and the Protection of Seafarers. We begin by expressing our sincere appreciation to Greece, India, and the Philippines for organizing these timely discussions. and to Denmark, Japan, Panama, and Romania for their valuable co-sponsorship. We extend our gratitude to Mr. Asenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization, for his pre-recorded welcoming remarks, which reaffirmed the relevance of today's theme. We further thank the distinguished briefers, Captain Dumanis, Mr. Guzman, Dr. Patel, and Captain Papadopoulos for their insightful briefings. Their expertise highlights the urgent human, legal, and operational challenges faced by those who sustain maritime transport. Seafarers are the backbone of global trade. ensuring steady movement of nearly 90% of goods transported across the world's oceans. Yet, their indispensable role is increasingly threatened by piracy, attacks on commercial vessels, armed robbery, and insecurity in key maritime routes. These threats are not isolated incidents. They disrupt international supply chains, jeopardize freedom of navigation, and pose wider risk to international peace and security. Strengthening the protection of seafarers is therefore not only a humanitarian imperative, but a necessary step towards preventing broader maritime instability. Threats to safety and well-being of seafarers, whether from piracy and other attacks, or deliberate targeting in conflict zones have direct implications for international peace and security, and the stability of global trade routes. Current developments underscore this reality. In the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the continued attacks on commercial shipping by the Houthis are disrupting one of the world's most critical maritime corridors. forcing significant rerouting, increasing insurance premiums, inflating transportation costs, and slowing global supply chains. These actions not only endanger civilians, but also risk escalating regional tensions. Similarly, in the Gulf of Guinea, persistent incidents of piracy, armed robbery at sea, and kidnapping for ransom continue to pose serious threats to maritime security, despite commendable regional initiatives such as the Yaoundé Architecture. These threats collectively demonstrate that protecting seafarers is of It is an imperative. Enhanced protection through information sharing, coordinated naval presence, stronger early warning mechanisms, and international cooperation can significantly reinforce the resilience of global trade routes and contribute to the safety of seafarers. Sierra Leone supports enhanced cooperation among flag states, port states, states of seafarer origin, and recruitment and placement services to prevent abandonment and respond swiftly when it occurs. We commend the ongoing efforts of the joint ILO-IMO tripartite working group and encourage wider implementation of its practical guidelines for resolving abandonment cases. At the national level, we have taken concrete steps to strengthen seafarer welfare and improve maritime governance. Our proposed new Merchant Shipping Act of 2025 represents a major legislative milestone, modernizing the legal framework governing seafaring, improving protection for seafarers, and contributing to maritime security and economic diversification. In addition, the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration has certified our seafarers under the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping, STCW, aligning their training with international benchmark and enhancing their global competitiveness. The Sierra Leone Seafarers Union remains a strong advocate for fair wages, improved working conditions, and ongoing capacity development. ensuring that the voices of seafarers are heard and respected. These national initiatives demonstrate how targeted legislative, regulatory, and institutional reforms can strengthen protection mechanisms and reinforce adherence to international norms. The recent amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention adopted this year and entering into force in 2027, mark a significant step towards improving safety, living conditions, and fair treatment of seafarers. These new provisions, including better protections for abandoned crews, enhanced procedures for repatriation, and improved mechanism to address shipboard harassment and violence demonstrates the MLC's continued evolution as the global standard for seafarers' rights. Sierra Leone welcomes these reforms and calls for renewed commitment by all states to uphold and implement them effectively. The convention has already played a transformative role in raising global standards. But its impact depends on consistent compliance and rigorous national enforcement. Ultimately, safeguarding the well-being of seafarers requires a coordinated global approach. Strengthened implementation of international instruments, enhanced flag and port state control, improved information sharing, and support for capacity building, particularly for developing maritime states, are essential to building a safer, more resilient maritime domain grounded in the rule of law and anchored in UNCLOS. The international community must also enhance coordination between IMO, ILO, regional maritime organizations, and national authorities to ensure coherence in standards and harmonization in enforcement. Collective action, rather than fragmented national responses, is key to meaningful progress. As we reflect on the vital role of the 2 million men and women who keep the world's maritime arteries functioning, we must reaffirm a shared responsibility to protect them. As the old maritime motto reminds us, without them, half of the world would freeze, and half of the world would starve. Sierra Leone remains committed to working constructively with all partners to uphold the rights of seafarers, enhance their safety, and ensure their dignity. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Sierra Leone, and I give now the floor to the representative of Slovenia.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I would also like to thank the co-organizers of this event, the co-sponsors of this event, and as well briefers for their very important contributions. Slovenia is a coastal and maritime state, and as such, a committed member of different regional and international organizations, including the International Maritime Organization. Slovenia attaches utmost importance to the safety, dignity, and welfare of the people who work at sea, the seafarers, whose daily efforts sustain the global economy. Protecting seafarers is not only a legal duty, but also an all-round strategic imperative. Following today's valuable briefing, Slovenia highlights four priority areas that require continued attention and stronger international cooperation. First, Threats to the lives and safety of seafarers, from piracy and armed attacks on commercial vessels to operations in or near conflict zones, have far-reaching implications for international peace and security. Such attacks jeopardize freedom of navigation, maritime security, and disrupt global supply chains. For states dependent on uninterrupted maritime routes, ensuring the protection of these professionals directly supports stability and helps preserve a maritime order firmly anchored in international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Second, challenges related to maritime labor persist. Too many seafarers continue to face situations that no person should encounter in their workplace: abandonment, unsafe working conditions, substandard vessels, and the risk of unfair criminalization. These issues underline the need for stronger enforcement by flag and port states. Slovenia welcomes the ongoing work of the IMO and ILO and supports the development of practical mechanisms to provide timely assistance, repatriation, and welfare support to affected seafarers. Ensuring that every person at sea enjoys safe, fair, and humane working conditions must remain a shared global priority. Third, The maritime sector continues to see the underrepresentation of women. Gender-based discrimination, unequal opportunities, and concerns about safety and harassment hinder women's participation in seafaring professions. Slovenia underscores the value of a more inclusive maritime workforce, safer, more resilient, and more innovative. Although the number of women serving on commercial vessels or holding senior maritime positions remains relatively small in the Slovenian context, they are present and we take great pride in their contributions. Slovenia actively promotes gender-sensitive training and recruitment, improved shipboard conditions, and policies that enable and encourage women as seafarers and maritime professionals to pursue meaningful and fulfilling careers. Fourth, The Maritime Labour Convention has been crucial in improving seafarers' working and living conditions worldwide. The 2025 amendments, which will enter into force in 2027, mark a significant step forward, particularly in recognizing seafarers as key workers and enhancing repatriation, mobility, and welfare measures. Slovenia encourages all States to implement these standards consistently and to continue strengthening this vital global framework so that every person serving at sea is protected by robust enforceable rights. Madam Chair, cooperation at all levels is essential. We commend the work of the joint IMO ILO tripartite working group and support closer coordination among maritime, labor, and security authorities, alongside the ongoing exchange of best practices. By working together across institutions and regions, we can create safer and more dignified conditions for all people working at sea. Seafarers are essential to the prosperity and well-being of our nations and deserve our full support. In closing, Madam Chair, Slovenia reiterates its unwavering commitment to a maritime domain that is safe, secure, and governed by international law, as enshrined in UNCLOS, ensuring that seafarers, regardless of nationality or gender, can carry out their vital duties with dignity, safety, and fairness. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Slovenia for his remarks, and I will now make some remarks in my national capacity, and I hope I keep it under three minutes. Attacks on international shipping have increased, violating the freedom of navigation. They jeopardize the safety of seafarers and other persons at sea, pose serious risks to the marine environment, disrupt maritime transport and global supply chains, and endanger food and energy security and economic stability. You may recall the bloody attacks on the commercial ships, Magic Seas and Eternity Sea resulted in the death of four seafarers and the sinking of both ships, while at least 10 members of the crew are still being held hostage by the Houthis. Recently, in the beginning of November, two tankers have been attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia. Meanwhile, operations at Alanda and Aspides continue to play an important role in safeguarding safety and security in the area. These developments underscore the intrinsic link between the protection of seafarers and the maintenance of international peace and security. The Security Council has previously expressed concern regarding the impact of piracy and armed robbery at sea on seafarers, such as hostage situations and associated violence. Additionally, the Council has acknowledged the humanitarian consequences these incidents may have for seafarers and their families. Piracy and other threats to maritime security seriously jeopardize the safety of seafarers. In addition, conflicts and the pandemic that seafarers have encountered in recent years have affected their safety and welfare. Incidents of abandonment increase, and arbitrary detentions for alleged crimes frequently occur. Cooperation between all stakeholders should focus on addressing these problems. Training of seafarers to face such risks is key for their protection and should be enhanced. Furthermore, taking into account the limited numbers of women in the shipping industry, it is important to raise awareness and to create appropriate conditions that foster the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of women's empowerment. A secure maritime domain is fundamental for achieving sustainable development and for upholding a rules-based international order at sea, with UNCLOS at its core. It is a secure maritime domain that seafarers can safely and efficiently work, thus promoting global economy and sustainable development. I resume my functions as chair of the meeting, and I give the floor to the representative of India.

Thank you, Madam Chair. At the outset, we would like to thank the Permanent Mission of Greece for yet another initiative to discuss this important topic. We also thank the permanent missions of Philippines, Denmark, Japan, Panama, and Romania for taking the lead as co-organizers and co-sponsors of this meeting. We thank Ambassador Balta, the Permanent Representative of Greece, and the briefers for their valuable insights on the subject of maritime security and safety of seafarers. IMO Secretary-General Dominguez, Captain Dumanis, Mr. Emmanuel Guzman, Professor Bimal Patel, a distinguished Indian academic and international law practitioner, and importantly, Captain Eleni Papadopoulos for being a trailblazer in working for empowering women seafarers in a very difficult environment. India being in the top three maritime communities with 12% of the world's seafarers gives immense importance to the safety, well-being, and rights of seafarers who form the lifeblood of global trade and maritime stability. Madam Chair, over the last two years, in response to shipping attacks and rising incidents of piracy in the Western Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy has deployed over 35 ships in the region, carried out more than 1,000 boarding operations, and has responded to over 35 incidents. The credible and swift actions of the Indian Navy have saved more than 520 lives, irrespective of nationality. Since November 2023, the Indian Navy has safely escorted over 367 merchant vessels carrying over 14.7 million metric tons of cargo valued at over $6.3 billion. India's decisive action in the liberation of MV Ruen from Somali pirates And the rescue of crew members demonstrated India's commitment to safeguarding seafarers, irrespective of their flag and nationality. Indian seafarers serving on the Marilyn Luanda showed exceptional courage in the face of a missile attack in the Gulf of Aden and were recognized with the IMO Bravery Award, while the Indian Navy received an IMO commendation for this operation. India's Information Fusion Center in the Indian Ocean region the IFC-IOR has strengthened real-time information exchange, while the Directorate General of Shipping, through the DG Comm Center, has maintained round-the-clock crisis response cells and issued continuous advisories and coordinated with foreign maritime administrations for the safe passage of seafarers. I bring to kind attention of the Chair that IMO has added the IFC-IOR as a key reporting center in the IMO Best Management Practices Maritime Security. The next logical step is to include the IFC-IOR as the IOR's primary reporting center in the IMO Maritime Safety Committee resolution. The support of member states in this noble endeavor would be invaluable to our collective maritime security. India has taken systematic steps to strengthen maritime labor protection through full incorporation of the Maritime Labor Convention 2006 into its domestic legislation. Recent reforms have also introduced explicit financial security requirements, ensuring that seafarers are never left abandoned or without recourse. India has also strengthened regulation of the recruitment and placement service providers to prevent exploitation, illegal fee charging, and contract irregularities. A 24 emergency helpline and grievance resolution system enabling timely support for seafarers in distress across the world has also been instituted. Madam Chair, India launched the Sagar Me Samman, meaning Respect at Sea, initiative under the Maritime India Vision 2030 to promote gender-sensitive safety standards, improved accommodation and sanitation on board, zero tolerance for harassment, and the integration of gender considerations into safety management and audit processes. India has also demonstrated women's leadership at sea through the operation of an all-women crewed vessel by the Shipping Corporation of India, which stands as a model of professional capability and empowerment. A dedicated task force and seven subcommittees have developed a national women in maritime policy. All these reflect our commitment to building an inclusive and equitable maritime workforce. In conclusion, India's initiatives represent a comprehensive approach to labor rights, welfare protection, and gender inclusion at sea. India stands ready to work with the international community to strengthen seafarer protection, promote gender equality, and improve the lives of those who serve aboard ships. Our efforts shall continue to be in consonance with our national vision of Mahasagar, or a mutual and holistic advancement for security and growth across regions. I thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the representative of India and co-organizer for his remarks, and I now give the floor to the representative of the Philippines. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair, colleagues. The Philippines is honored to co-organize today's ARIA formal meeting with Greece and India, and thanks Denmark, Japan, Panama, and Romania for their co-sponsorship. We thank our briefers for their valuable insights, which highlight the urgency of strengthening seafarers' protection as an integral part of international peace and security. Considering the comprehensiveness of the presentation of our national perspective by our briefer, Mr. Guzmán, at the beginning of this meeting, I will be brief and wish to highlight and underline the following. First. As an archipelagic and maritime nation, and as the world's leading supplier of seafarers, the Philippines places their safety and well-being at the center of our national and multilateral priorities. Threats faced by seafarers, whether from piracy, attacks in conflict zones, or abandonment, directly affect the stability of maritime routes and global supply chains. The Philippines continues to champion a human rights-based approach to maritime safety. We initiated the first Human Rights Council resolution dedicated to seafarers, recognizing the need to align international human rights law, maritime law, labor standards, and the law of the sea. Domestically, the 2024 Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers strengthens protection on working conditions, medical care, legal assistance, and accountability for violations. We also underscore the right of seafarers to refuse sailing in dangerous waters, a right that must be upheld. Our successful efforts to secure the release of the 17 Filipino crew members of the MV Galaxy Leader after more than 14 months in captivity underscored the importance of sustained diplomacy, humanitarian coordination, and international cooperation. Protecting seafarers also requires safeguarding the marine environment. Climate impacts, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation directly shape maritime safety and human security. Madam Chair, the Philippines will continue working with all partners to strengthen cooperation, reinforce the implementation of IMO and ILO instruments, and ensure that the people who sustain global shipping are protected with dignity and humanity. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the Philippines. and co-organizer, and I give the floor now to the representative of Japan.

Thank you, Madam Chair. As Japan joins today's ARIA Forum meeting as a co-sponsor, I wish to express our gratitude to Greece for taking initiative to hold this meeting, building upon relevant signature opening debates in the Council. I also thank the briefers for their meaningful inputs. As we see an increasing number of attacks against vessels, such as off the coast of Somalia, we strongly believe that discussions in the Council on this matter, on this agenda, are timely and relevant. Today, I would like to make two points on the protection of seafarers. First, the safety of seafarers should be ensured by securing sea lanes across the world. Attacks against merchants and commercial vessels are urgent challenges that jeopardize the safety of maritime transport, and thus pose grave threat to the safety and welfare of seafarers. The Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, or SUA Convention, including its 2005 amendment, is an extremely important international treaty governing cooperation on the prosecution and extradition of persons committing unlawful acts against ships, such as violence against seafarers. We would like to call for broader accession to the Convention. The Security Council Resolution 2722, adopted in January last year, affirmed that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels in accordance with international law must be respected. As a responsible maritime nation, Japan co-painted the resolution with the U.S., and we believe it remains quite relevant when we discuss the protection of sea farers today. I would also like to touch upon our role in regional and multilateral counter-piracy efforts on the ground, such as sending our Self-Defense Forces and Japan Coast Guard off the coast of Somalia and into the Gulf of Aden, as well as supporting the Information Center of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia, RECAP. to enhance maritime law enforcement capabilities of participating states. Second, through respect, through a thorough respect for the rule of law at sea is in our common interest and must be upheld. We must continue our efforts to promote the free and open maritime order in accordance with international law, in particular UNCLOS. Dangerous actions that obstruct the freedom of navigation and overflight run contrary to these efforts. With regard to concrete measures on the protection of seafarers, the Maritime Labour Convention, MLC, is the fundamental legal framework to protect seafarers' rights, including working and living conditions. It is of great importance to keep up with the needs and development of sea frauds by adopting domestic measures in line with the relevant international instruments. Madam Chair, we also attach great importance to the empowerment of women and promote women participation in sea faring by introducing good practice of maritime transport operators such as through social media. In closing, maritime security is fundamental to international peace and security. We look forward to continuing the discussions on maritime security in the Council. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Japan and co-sponsor for his remarks, and now give the floor to the representative of Romania.

Thank you very much, Madam Ambassador, and allow me to join others in thanking the organizer, Greece, India, and Philippines, for organizing this ARIA Forum meeting, which we are very pleased to co-sponsor. We also like to thank the briefers for the presentations, because I think they highlighted the clear link between maritime security and the maintenance of international peace and security. And this has become increasingly evident in the last years, and we would like to welcome, actually, the renewed attention to this matter brought to the UN Security Council open debates on maritime Security organized this year by Greece and Panama. Ensuring that international law is upheld and respected on all oceans and seas, and reaffirming the role of UNCLOS as the legal framework for governing all activities in oceans and seas remain the cornerstone of international order, including at sea. All seas should remain free, stable, and safe. A secure and stable maritime domain is essential for the security, development, and well-being of the world, and this has to start with the seafarers, be it men or women. Madam Chair, as a recognized provider of qualified seafarers for the international shipping market and with numerous seafarers present in international shipping lanes, Romania pays particular attention to the safety and security of merchant and commercial vessels and their crews. Romanian seafarers face the whole range of risks at sea, from piracy to abandonment. Among the most recent examples, the unlawful detention by the Houthis for more than a year of a Romanian citizen, a member of the crew of MV Galaxy Leader. We remain concerned about the increasing number of incidents and attacks to international shipping, risking the lives or safety of seafarers, and we call for the end of such attacks on all oceans and seas. Such risks also increase in the Black Sea, in our close neighborhood. Floating mines and episodes such as the one in September 2024, when a missile hit a merchant vessel under a third country flag carrying grain from Ukraine, underscored the threats generated by the Russian war against Ukraine to maritime shipments in the Black Sea and to the safety of the crews. Our joint work with Türkiye and Bulgaria on demining the Black Sea responds to such risks and contributes to enhancing maritime security and the protection of seafarers. The use of substandard ships and of unsafe and illicit shipping practices also poses significant risks to seafarers, as acknowledged by the IMO. While not a new phenomenon, its magnitude and complexity amplified after 2022 through the operations of the Russian shadow fleet, which endangers maritime security and the safety of large number of seafarers in its attempt to circumvent sanctions. Upholding a predictable and well-regulated maritime environment and compliance with the standards of the IMO and the Maritime Labour Convention remain essential in addressing these issues. We support more determined action by all concerned, including flag States, port States, coastal States, seafarer nationality States, in raising awareness and preventing, detecting, and reporting such activities. And we recall the IMO resolution A.1192, which urged IMO Member States and all relevant stakeholders to prevent illegal operations in the maritime sector by shadow fleet. With that, I thank you, madam Chair.

I thank the representative of Romania and co-sponsor, and I now give the floor to the representative of Morocco.

Thank you, madam Chair. First and foremost, I'd like to congratulate you on convening this important meeting, this AREA Formula meeting that demonstrates a sincere commitment to maritime security and the protection of seafarers who are a pillar of international trade and maritime transport. This comes at a crucial time because there are threats to the freedom of navigation and to seafarers. This means that we need to pay further attention to this and renew our collective action. Recently, Madam, maritime safety has been seriously undermined by increased piracy and robbery, exposing seafarers who ensure 90% of global trade to trauma and psychological difficulties. This underscores not only the difficulties of navigation, but it undermines international peace and security by disrupting global supply chain. Given this worrisome situation, resolute action from the international community means that seafarers must be protected, as this is crucial for global trade's resilience and for upholding international peace and security. Morocco, as a maritime nation, is very committed to protecting seafarers at the national level. Morocco has modernized its port and maritime infrastructure, bolstering coastal surveillance and improving rescue operations to protect and help the welfare of seafarers. Morocco is involved at the African level and the Mediterranean level as well to combat illicit maritime activities and through promoting training. The Rabat process is one of such cooperation frameworks that addresses maritime security. It fosters cooperation between Atlantic, coastal, and African stakeholders. In Africa, Morocco seeks to bolster cooperation between port states and build capacity with international partners as well at the international level. to ensure that there's respect for international labor norms for seafarers. Morocco reiterates that attacks against seafarers disrupts peace and hampers global trade. Bolstered protection based on collective vigilance and capacity creates a better atmosphere. In conclusion, we would reiterate what the former Secretary General of the IMO, Mr. Metropolis, said. He said, "Without seafarers, half of the world would die of hunger and the other half would die of cold." So let us have hope and let us ensure that we protect their dignity. The international community needs to ensure a future that is safe for seafarers based on cooperation and mutual respect. Thank you.

Of Morocco for her remarks, and I now give the floor to the representative of Egypt.

We thank Greece and all the countries that organized this meeting. It's a very important topic. Egypt attaches particular importance to ensuring maritime security, in particular in the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. We have an extensive international experience. We believe that the Red Sea is a vital passage for international trade. It's a passage for a large number of vessels. The Middle East region throughout the last few years has experienced instability, which has had an impact on movements in the Red Sea and in the Suez Canal. We have paid a heavy tribute in economic terms because of the situation, and losses amounting to some 800 million monthly, and despite that, we've always undertaken efforts to bolster the security of the Suez Canal, as well as regional efforts to protect international commerce. Developments in the Red Sea have demonstrated that maritime security is an essential aspect to guarantee international trade, because all incidents at sea has have an impact on international trade and international supplies, supply chains. The ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip is a ray of hope for the region and for maritime security. Peace in this region has direct impact on stability of the global economy, and we and hope that vessels can move securely in order to ensure delivery of supplies at the international level and to sustain economic activity at the international level. However, we are aware of the cross-border challenges that we face. We have many times warned against the threat of armed groups, armed groups both around the Red Sea region. These groups are a real threat to the region and have fueled tensions in the region and the countries surrounding the Red Sea. This is a violation of international norms and erodes stability around the Red Sea. I would also like to mention Sudan and the current situation there. This country is a subject of competition between various powers, And also, the situation in Yemen is of great concern to us. We must make efforts to restore stability in that country. We need collective efforts, and Egypt is working hand-in-hand with its partners, in particular the countries around the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa to ensure the stability of this region. This is a priority for us. And we hope to be able to restore stability in the region and make the Red Sea an area of cooperation rather than of conflict. And the Suez Canal has always been for Egypt a symbol of peace for the people of the world and a bridge between Asia, Africa, and Europe, an essential channel for international commerce. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Egypt for his remarks, and I now give the floor to the representative of Austria.

Madam Ambassador, Excellencies, dear colleagues, Austria would like to thank Greece, India, and the Philippines, as well as the co-sponsors Denmark, Japan, Panama, and Romania, for convening this timely and important ARIA meeting. We align ourselves with the statement to be delivered by the European Union. Let me start by stating the obvious: Austria is a landlocked country, with no direct access to the sea. So one might wonder about our interest in the protection of seafarers. But from global supply chains to environmental stability and energy flows, all states, coastal or not, are stakeholders in the security of the world’s oceans. Let me therefore outline three main points of our position. First, Austria believes in international law and an international order based on the rule of law. This applies on the land, in the sky, and also at sea. We underline the centrality of international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We call upon all Member States to uphold the international order based on international law at sea, with UNCLOS at its core. This is fundamental for guaranteeing a secure maritime domain. The same approach, that is, our action guided by the rule of law, should be applied with regard to new phenomena such as sea level rise and its implications. Second, the profession of seafarers is not only one of the oldest professions of humankind, but also one of the most dangerous. The working conditions far from shore are dire, with high risk for health problems and severe injuries. In particular, as in many sectors with gender imbalanced workforce, the situation of women in the shipping industry is often overlooked. But this does not mean that violence and harassment, including sexual harassment and assaults, are any less frequent. They often occur on board without being documented and in circumstances where there is no possibility of escape. In addition, seafarers have been increasingly subjected to hostage taking by terrorist groups. The rights and well-being of 2 million seafarers must be protected. This is why we stress the need for enhanced international cooperation, and we support the important work the IMO and ILO are already doing in this regard. Third, attacks on merchant vessels interrupt trade relations globally and have direct impacts on the stability and security in various countries. Even worse, piracy and armed robbery pose a continuous threat for the lives of seafarers. These criminal activities must not be tolerated. Austria therefore encourages comprehensive and preventive approaches. Stakeholders must be brought together to address maritime security. Various agencies across the UN system should be involved, like UNODC, UNOCT, and UNCTAD, just to name a few. We also commend the important role of Interpol in this regard. Austria strongly believes that this Council should support such multidimensional approaches, connecting security, development, and human rights. Madam Ambassador, Excellencies, dear colleagues, Austria's candidacy for the Security Council for the term 2027-28 is guided by our commitment to international law, effective multilateralism, adherence to human rights, and a holistic approach to peace. These principles apply everywhere. This is why we remain engaged in advancing an international order based on the rule of law, in all domains, on the land, the sky or at sea. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Austria for his remarks, and I now give the floor to the representative of Italy.

Thank you. Thank you, madam Chair.

Excellencies, we thank Greece and the co-sponsors for convening this meeting on a highly strategic topic such

as maritime safety and security. Maritime threats undermine global stability and restrict

freedom of navigation, also to the benefit of terrorist group and transnational organized crime. That is why we would like to emphasize today the importance in our strategies of tackling the nexus between terrorism and transnational organized crime, which is an emerging security challenges that affects also, of course, directly the seafarers.

Our action must be grounded in existing international legal frameworks.

The United Nations Conventions on the Law of

the Seas serves as the legal framework within which all activities in the seas and oceans must be conducted.

Alongside it, other key conventions, such as the 1988 Conventions for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, provide a strong legal basis for member states. In this context,

We acknowledge the significance of

previous Security Council decisions, including Presidential Statement 15 of 2021 and Resolution 2634 of 2022, with the latter specifically addressing the threats of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea. We believe that the Security Council recommendations must turn into concrete actions. We support efforts to strengthen the capacity of Member States to take effective measures against transnational organized crime at sea, to share best practices for preventing and combating terrorism, and to safeguard the security and well-being of seafarers. Last year, under the Italian G7 Presidency, an informal meeting of the G7++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea was organized in Rome to support the development of the regulatory and capacity-building framework of the countries and the regional

institutions that are part of the Yeon Deok architecture.

The implementation of the Yeon Deok Code of Conduct, together with the regular presence of naval units from several European Union countries, including Italy, and the continued support from the international community have all played a crucial role in reducing piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea. This tangible process is a clear demonstration of the value of close cooperation among local, regional, and international actors. Moreover, safeguarding the rights of international merchant and commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea region and preserving freedom of navigation and maritime security in the area are essential priorities. Unity within the international community on this issue is indispensable. Greater collaboration with the regional partners is needed, particularly with the Gulf countries and coastal states. Italy is actively engaged in Operation Aspidis, working to protect vital shipping lines in accordance with UNCLOS and the UN Security Council Resolution 2722. I would like to close by emphasizing that the Mediterranean Sea should also remain the focus of our attention, as it too is crossed by illicit flows, including human trafficking and arms smuggling. For this reason, Italy contributes to Operation UNAFOR Med Irini, which ensures inspections on the high seas off the Libyan coast.

We trust that the mechanism authorising the operation will be approved soon by the Security Council.

Italy remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding freedom of navigation globally and enforcing the international law of the sea.

I thank you.

I thank the representative of Italy for his remarks, and I now give the floor to the representative of Kenya.

Thank you, Chair. Kenya is pleased to join this important annual formal meeting and commends Greece, India, and the Philippines for their leadership, as well as the co-sponsors, for drawing global attention to the vital issue of protecting seafarers. We meet at a time when the resilience, safety, and welfare of seafarers, who move nearly 90% of global trade, become central to the maintenance of international peace and security. Seafarers are the backbone of global commerce, yet they continue to perform their duties under increasingly difficult and dangerous conditions. In our own region, the Western Indian Ocean, Threats from piracy, armed robbery at sea, illicit maritime activities, and the disruptions in critical waterways, such as the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, have significantly heightened operational risks. These challenges underscore the intrinsic link between maritime security and the protection of seafarers. One of the most concerning trends in recent years is the alarming rise in seafarers abandonment. The International Transport Workers Federation reports more than 2,000 seafarers abandoned so far in 2025, often without pay, food, medical support, or repatriation options. Kenya believes that urgent corrective action is required to address this humanitarian and labor rights crisis, Flag states, port states, and labor supplying countries must enforce their responsibilities consistently, including under the Maritime Labour Convention and other international standards. We welcome the intensified cooperation between IMO and ILO, including the guidance developed by the joint tripartite working group to resolve abandonment cases more efficiently and effectively. excellence is, the international community must deepen implementation of existing frameworks, UNCLOS, SOLAS, and STCW, and the Maritime Labour Convention. These instruments remain fundamental for regulating safety at sea, fair employment practices, and humane working conditions. Kenya has strengthened its port state control regime and is investing in enhanced maritime domain awareness and counter-piracy capabilities. These efforts align with our broader blue economy strategy and our commitment to support decent work and professionalization within the maritime workforce. We must also address the persistent gender gap in the maritime industry. Women represent only a very small percentage of the global seafarer workforce and face considerable barriers, including discrimination, limited training opportunities, and unsafe working environments. Kenya supports global initiatives to promote gender equality at sea and calls for gender responsible maritime training, strong enforcement of anti-harassment measures, and expanded opportunities for women in leadership in line with the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.

Madam Chair, the Maritime Labour Convention, often referred to

as the seafarers' bill of rights, continues to significantly improve working and living conditions for seafarers. Kenya welcomes the amendment adopted in June 2025 to enter into force in 2027, which provides stronger guarantees for safety, welfare, repatriation, and fair treatment. This development reaffirms the recognition of seafarers as key workers whose mobility, health, and safety must be always protected, including during global crisis. In conclusion, Kenya reiterates that a secure maritime domain is indispensable to global commerce, sustainable development, and international peace and security. We hold the two million seafarers who who sustain world trade, not only our gratitude, but also our unwavering commitment to uphold their rights, dignity, and safety. Kenya stands ready to work with the member states, the IMO, the ILO, and all the stakeholders to strengthen the protection of seafarers and ensure that maritime transport remains safe, secure, and resilient. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Kenya. And before giving the floor to the representative of Timor-Leste, let me remind you colleagues that we have less than 45 minutes before the conclusion of this meeting. So I would ask you kindly if you could be as concise as possible so as to honor the list of speakers that we have in front of us. The representative of Timor-Leste.

Madam Chair, Excellencies, thank you for giving me the floor. We also thank the organizers, the briefers, and the countries of Greece, India, and the Philippines, as well as co-sponsors Denmark, Panama, Japan, and Romania. It is an honor to speak on an issue that remains largely invisible, yet sustains our collective well-being, the safety and dignity of world's seafarers. These men and women keep global trade moving, connect our societies, and safeguard the economic lifelines of small island development states such as Timor-Leste. However, despite their indispensable role, their working environment is becoming more dangerous and more unpredictable. Many now set sail through conflict zones, navigate waters where criminals networks thrive, and operate on aging vessels with fewer resources and greater stress. Behind every vessel is a human being with a family, a community, and a desire to return home safely, hopes that today feel increasingly uncertain. Across the maritime sector, seafarers report growing fatigue, anxiety, and a sense of abandonment.

Incidents at sea are becoming more severe.

from machinery failures to violent attacks. The situation in the Red Sea has left many crews in constant fear, forcing them to take long detour and increasing their risk. Piracy persisted in regions where institutions are weak and response capacity is limited. Criminal network exploit instability to engage in trafficking, illegal fishing, and environmental crimes. leaving many coastal communities and seafarers themselves caught in the crossfire. These dangers do not stay at sea. They ripple through global supply chains, driving up transport costs and making essential goods less accessible for vulnerable populations. For countries like Timor-Leste, the consequences are felt directly. When shipping routes are disrupted, food and essential goods arrive late or at higher prices. Economic recovery slows. Families and communities pay the hidden cost of insecurity at sea. This is why maritime safety is not a technical niche. It is a global security, development, and human issue. However, we know that the cooperation works. International law, particularly UNCLOS and IMO instruments, already provides us a strong framework. Regional partnership and coordinated patrols have shown that determined collective action can reverse dangerous trends. New technologies, from satellite-enabled monitoring to AI-supported early warning, offer powerful tools to protect crews and improve response times. To turn these tools into tangible impact, however, we need stronger coordination, political will, and a renewed focus on human beings at the center of maritime activity. Madam Chair, Drawing from recent Council debates and the momentum generated by the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, Timoreste offers three streamlined recommendations. First, establish a dedicated UN maritime security coordination mechanism. This mechanism should enable real-time information sharing, support rapid multi-state responses, and ensure the consistent application of maritime security standards, especially in high-risk regions. A special representative reporting directly to the Secretary-General should guide his work and alert the Council when civilian crews face imminent danger. Second, invest in strong regional partnership. Coastal and small island states need access to modern monitoring tools, reliable communication, joint training, and legal support to uphold UNCLOS and IMO obligations. And the UN must also ensure accountability for those, state and non-state, who attack civilian vessels or endanger crews. Third, place seafarers at the center of global action. TMO must support international seafarer protection and encourage the international community to ensure immediate medical, psychological, logistical assistance for victims of piracy, detention, or conflict. This must go hand in hand with better working conditions, mental health services, and guaranteed repatriation. Human dignity must be the foundation of maritime security. Excellencies, the sea connects us, but they also test us. If they are not safe, none of us is secure. Protecting seafarers is a moral duty and an economic necessity. With unity, innovation, and determined leadership, we can transform rising insecurity into stronger cooperation and safer oceans for all. the time to act is now. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Timor-Leste for his remarks, and I now give the floor to the representative of Portugal.

Madam Chair, we would like, first of all, to commend the co-organizers Greece, India, and the Philippines, as well as the co-sponsors Japan, Panama, and Romania. for this timely debate and also thank the briefers for their valuable insights. Portugal aligns itself with the EU statement to be delivered. As a maritime nation, the protection of seafarers is a core priority for my country. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities, restricted shore leave, difficulties in repatriation, and limited medical access. Yet threats extend far beyond the pandemic. Piracy and armed robbery, as already stated here, attacks on commercial vessels, and the spillover effects of conflict zones continue to endanger crews and disrupt maritime traffic, undermining freedom of navigation and contributing to instability in fragile regions. These challenges demonstrate the clear link between seafarer protection and international peace and security. Our collective efforts must remain grounded in international law, notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Maritime Labour Convention. The recent MLC amendments adopted last June strengthen safeguards against violence and harassment, recognize seafarers as key workers, and improve access to shore leave and repatriation. We also welcome the Manila Declaration on Seafarers' Human Rights, Safety and Well-being, adopted last September and supported by Portugal, is an important step towards advancing human rights at sea and ensuring the dignity of those who sustain global trade. Allow me now to briefly highlight five priority areas for us. First, strong naval coordination and intelligence sharing. Lisbon is the headquarters of the European Maritime Security Agency, and Portugal contributes actively to EU operations, including Operation Irini in the Mediterranean and Operation Atalanta off the Horn of Africa, and supports the EU's coordinated maritime presences, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea. Second, more effective inspection and enforcement through state control. Capacity building remains here fundamental, as shown by the ECOWAS support to West Africa Integrated Maritime Security Initiative, which is funded by the EU and managed by Portugal. Third, preventive measures must be reinforced, including anti-harassment policies. Fourth, new technologies, from satellite surveillance to artificial intelligence. Portugal's AEROS nanosatellite, launched last year, contributes to ocean observation and maritime monitoring. And finally, advancing gender equality in the maritime sector is essential. This is what also does the Women's International Shipping and Trading Association Portugal, which was established in 2018 to connect women professionals in shipping and logistics. Madam Chair, Portugal remains committed to working with all partners to ensure that our seas remain open, safe, and governed by the rule of law. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Portugal for his remarks, and I now give the floor to the representative of the European Union.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union's member states, the candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. aligned themselves with this statement. A big thank you to the organizers and to the co-sponsors for convening this timely debate. Colleagues, a safe and secure maritime domain grounded in international law, including human rights law, is essential for global peace and sustainable development. International law, with the UN Charter at its core, must be upheld both on land and at sea. The EU and its Member States are strongly committed to UNCLOS, which sets out the universal and unified legal framework within which all activities in oceans and seas must be carried out. Upholding UNCLOS is crucial to ensuring peaceful maritime interactions and equitable resource management among nations. Chair, the EU aims to address maritime security in all its complexity. First, the EU's revised Maritime Security Strategy and Action Plan provides us with a wide range of effective tools, at our disposal to address multiple challenges that include the growing competition for power and resources in the sea basins around the EU and beyond, and the nexus between climate change, degradation of the maritime environment, and maritime security. Second, in June, the European Commission adopted the European Ocean Pact, which brings together relevant EU policies and actions, including maritime security and defense, ocean diplomacy, and international ocean governance. Third, A pact for the Mediterranean, one sea, one pact, one future, adopted in October 25, aims at advancing cooperation on maritime security, preparedness, and migration management. And finally, the new EU strategy for secure, prosperous, and resilient Black Sea region, adopted in May, fosters security, stability, and resilience. Colleagues, the European Union is a global maritime security provider. As such, it continues contributing to the safety and security of ships and seafarers and maintaining global supply chains around the world. Operation Irini helps enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya. Operation Aspidis protects ships and seafarers from attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea. Operation Atalanta protects ships and seafarers against piracy and armed robbery in the Western Indian Ocean. And earlier this month, Operation Atalanta rescued the crew of MV Hellas Aphrodite after the ship was boarded by pirates off the coast of Somalia. In addition, the naval vessels of the EU-coordinated maritime presences protect seafarers from piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Aden. Colleagues, we all need to continue strengthening our efforts to address the challenges posed by substandard vessels and the shadow fleet. including threats to the maritime environment, maritime safety and security, critical infrastructure, and international maritime law and standards. IMO Resolution 1192 against the shadow fleet provides an important framework for engagement with the international maritime community. Let me switch now to ensuring the safety at sea, which also includes promoting decent working conditions worldwide. The number of fatalities and injuries remains unacceptably high. Migrant workers are vulnerable to precarious employment and health and safety conditions, forced labour, harassment, abusive practices, unequal treatment. Human rights and existing international standards for working conditions and labour rights, including the prohibition of child labour, should be effectively promoted and implemented to ensure safety at sea for everyone. The promotion of broader ratification and effective implementation of the 2006 ILO Maritime Labour Convention, as amended, is of key importance. The EU will continue promoting the ratification and effective implementation of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention No. 188 and other relevant international standards, particularly those established in the ILO fundamental conventions. Together with the ILO, the EU has developed projects to create better working conditions for seafarers. such as the EU-funded ship-to-shore rights in Southeast Asia and Malaysia, aiming to protect migrant workers in Malaysia’s fish and seafood supply chain. Finally, Madam Chair, the EU and its Member States are at the forefront of improving maritime safety legislation as well. The aim is to eliminate substandard shipping, to increase the protection of passengers and crews, to reduce the risk of environmental pollution, and to ensure that operators who follow good practices are not put at a commercial disadvantage compared to those prepared to take shortcuts with vessel safety. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the European Union for his remarks, and I now give the floor to the representative of Malta.

Thank you, Madam President. Malta aligns itself with the statement just delivered by the European Union. We would like to thank Greece, India, and the Philippines for convening this timely discussion, and we also extend our gratitude to the briefers for sharing their insights with us. President, maritime security is a cornerstone of global stability and economic prosperity, with over 80% of world trade transported by sea. The safety of maritime routes is a collective responsibility of the international community. Yet, these routes face increasing and complex threats, placing significant pressure on the international system, especially on seafarers, who are essential workers keeping global trade moving. Seafarers deserve full protection under international human rights law, the Maritime Labour Convention, the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, UNCLOS, and relevant IMO/ILO instruments. These frameworks guarantee rights such as safe working conditions, medical care, fair treatment, decent accommodation, and protection from violence and abuse. However, these rights are increasingly under threat. Recent incidents in the Red Sea, Gulf of Guinea, and Indian Ocean have shown that seafarers who are not responsible for geopolitical tensions are often placed in harm's way. Their vessels are targeted, boarded, detained, or used as leverage in political or criminal disputes. These situations are unacceptable and constitute violations of international law. President, maritime security is inseparable from the labor dimension. Many seafarers face tough conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed these vulnerabilities, with thousands stranded at sea for months without relief. Such failures must not be repeated. Malta believes that to strengthen maritime security and protect seafarers, four key policy actions are necessary. First, we need to reinforce the international legal framework. Universal ratification, harmonized domestic legislation, and consistent enforcement of maritime laws are essential. Flag, port, and coastal states must cooperate to ensure compliance, including timely payment of wages, access to grievance mechanisms, freedom from forced labor, and enforcement of safe working hours. Port state control mechanisms and information sharing networks should be strengthened. Second, we must strengthen maritime domain awareness. The proliferation of illicit activities at sea, such as piracy, attacks, trafficking, and illegal fishing, demands real-time surveillance, interoperable data systems, and coordinated responses. No single state can protect the world's oceans alone. Information sharing, joint patrols, and coordinated naval operations, especially in high-risk areas, are critical. Regional mechanisms like the Younde architecture and Djibouti Code of Conduct must be supported. Thirdly, we must jointly prioritize seafarer protection and recognize seafarers as essential workers, ensure secure transit corridors, develop crisis response procedures, strengthen cyber hygiene on board, ensure fair treatment in case of detention, and expand mental health and welfare support. The human rights of seafarers must be guaranteed throughout their time at sea, including fair treatment after accidents, the prohibition of criminalization, and upholding rights to shore leave and safe repatriation. Fourth, we must also recognize the necessity of capacity building. Many coastal states lack the resources to safeguard maritime zones. In this regard, targeted assistance should focus on training coast guards, building legal and investigative capacity, and developing national maritime security strategies. President, maritime security is also linked to broader global agendas: climate change, sustainable fisheries, energy resilience, and digitalisation. Effective policy requires cross-sector coordination among maritime authorities, navies, port operators, shipping companies, and international organizations. In conclusion, protecting seafarers is a legal obligation and a moral imperative. By strengthening cooperation, enforcing labour standards, upholding human rights, and addressing emerging threats, we can ensure safe seas, resilient supply chains, and dignity for every seafarer. The full, equal, and meaningful participation of women across the maritime sector is also essential. Ultimately, we need to ensure that the respect of human rights remains central to maritime policy. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Malta for her remarks, and I now give the floor to the representative of Poland.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to Greece, India, and the Philippines for organizing this timely debate. Let me also thank the briefers for their insightful remarks. Poland supports the statement delivered earlier by the European Union. Madam President, All recognize the important role that seafarers play in global trade and supply chains. We are also concerned about the numerous risks they face, including those arising from piracy, terrorism, and attacks on vessels. In this context, a particularly significant threat to seafarers is posed by the Russian shadow fleet. Using the fleet, Moscow manages to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia in response to its military aggression against Ukraine. The fleet itself is composed of old and non-inspected vessels with doubtful insurance and murky ownership structure, yet with clear purposes, one of them being to secure Russia's economic interest and financing its military expansion. But at present, the shadow fleet's activities result in various risks worldwide. Environmentally, the irresponsible Russian behavior at sea causes numerous oil spills. To name just a few, in June 2025, and a fire on board of the 23 years old tanker and a subsequent leakage in the Gulf of Oman, or December 2024, when around 3,700 tons of low-grade fuel ended up in the Kerch Strait. Shocking, yet not surprising, STS transfers in dangerous conditions, a complete disregard for maritime security standards, and jeopardizing seafarers' safety are common practices aboard of the shadow vessels. Originally, Russia's shadow fleet actively disrupts critical infrastructure and ecological security of other countries in the Baltic Sea. Both the Russian and the shadow vessels map the position of the pipelines, cables, and various port facilities. Such activities can hardly be deemed peaceful or ordinary. In this regard, we welcome the IMO resolution of December 2023, urging member states and all relevant stakeholders to promote actions to prevent illegal operations in the maritime sector by the dark fleet or shadow fleet." The end of the quote. As the current presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Poland favours the coordinated approach towards protecting our critical infrastructure and combating the shadow fleet. Madam President, Threats must be tackled and security and safety of the sea guaranteed. Having international law as our guiding principle, we should take full advantage of the options UNCLOS grants us. We have every right to escort vessels in our exclusive economic zones, restrict STS transfers, or take actions against stateless or falsely flagged vessels, especially when they pose an environmental risk. The onus is on us to protect the sea and those who work at it. Thus, Poland encourages states that grant flag registration to vessels of the shadow fleet to reconsider such practices. Madam President, as is rightfully stated in the concept note of this debate, well-being, training, and the safety of seafarers are indispensable to maritime peace, security, and global prosperity. To maintain prosperity, we must implement concrete solutions, such as insurance verification or vessels registers. Coordinating our efforts and sharing information across various fora, including the UN, remains a top priority.

And I thank you, Madam President.

I thank the representative of Poland for his remarks, and I now give the floor to the representative of Indonesia.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Indonesia commends Greece, India, the Philippines, and the other co-sponsors for convening this meeting. We also thank the briefers for their insights. As the world’s largest archipelagic state and the third largest provider of global seafaring manpower, we recognize seafarers as key workers at the heart of global supply chains. Indonesia has long championed the protection of seafarers. During our term on the Security Council in 2020, we initiated GA Resolution 75/17 on international cooperation to address challenges faced by seafarers during COVID-19. It reflects Indonesia's dedication to those who keep the world moving so they are never forgotten, especially in times of crisis.

Allow me to highlight three key points.

First, enhance the work of IMO and ILO. The ILO-IMO joint tripartite working group offers practical and coordinated solution to address those challenges. Stronger compliance and harmonized enforcement by flag and port states will also ensure real change at sea. Therefore, continued political support and resource investment to enable IMO and ILO fulfill their mandates is necessary. Second, protect the human rights of seafarers. Full and effective implementation of international law is imperative, particularly the 2006 Maritime Labour Convention. We must end abandonment, wage theft, unfair criminalisation, and shipboard violence and harassment. No seafarer should be ever left without pay, support, or justice. Indonesia also stressed the human dimension of IUU fishing, which often linked to forced labour, abuse, and trafficking. IUU fishing must be addressed as a transnational crime, both to protect marine resources and to safeguard vulnerable crews.

Third, building seafarer capacity matters. Indonesia attaches high priority on maritime education, training, and certification.

Capacity building saves lives.

Strengthen global maritime resilience. This effort must be inclusive. Empowering women at sea strengthens the maritime workforce. A strong maritime sector leaves no talent behind. Madam Chair, seafarers are the silent guardians of global trade. Indonesia stands ready to work with all Member States to protect seafarers, rooted in international law. Protect the seafarers, protect global stability. I thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the representative of Indonesia, and before passing the floor to our last speaker of today, I would like to announce that for those delegations who did not have the opportunity to intervene today due to time restraints, please send their statements to the organizers. And now, the representative of Oman has the floor.

And with your indulgence, I'll skip the oratory. Oman believes that the protecting of seafarers is a direct investment in global maritime security, the continuity of international trade, and strengthening the trust among nations. Drawing from on its historic maritime role, Oman's strategic geographic position continues to contribute to the security and safety of ships and their crews. The National Maritime Security Center, which provides an advanced system of monitoring and rapid response to maritime incidents and threats. The Omani Hydrographic Office, which ensures safe navigation through accurate maritime data, updating national legislation to align with relevant international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and to foster a safe working environment for seafarers and to protect their rights. Oman will continue to work for a safe maritime environment that respects international law, upholds human dignity, and supports the vital role of seafarers in serving global economy. A clear demonstration of Oman's humanitarian commitment occurred in January of this year when the Sultanate successfully mediated the release of the crew of the ship Galaxy Leaders, detained off the Yemeni coast since November 2023. The 25 individuals from five nationalities were safely repatriated through Oman's mediation and cooperation with parties in Yemen. This achievement, praised by the United Nations and regional partners, stands as a testament to the great importance Oman attaches to dialogue and its dedication to protecting seafarers as part of broader vision for peace and stability. We emphasize the need to protect seafarers from arbitrary detention or mistreatment, to combat violence and harassment aboard ships. and to promote participation of women in maritime navigation through safe and discrimination-free workplaces. Oman calls for great international coordination among coastal states, flag states, and transit ports, as well as strong cooperation with organizations like the IMO and the ILO to ensure international standards are effectively implemented and information is shared in a timely manner. We believe that protecting seafarers is essential in global maritime security and the continuity of international trade and building trust among nations. I thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank the representative of Oman, and I have some points before we conclude. Today's discussion has provided valuable insight on the various aspects regarding the protection of seafarers in today's world, where the threats to maritime security have increased. Their well-being, mental and physical health, training, and safety are indispensable to maritime peace, security, and prosperity. We are committed to furthering these goals in close cooperation with Member States, stakeholders, and IMO, ILO. I thank again the co-organizers, co-sponsors for holding this event, and I will also like to thank you all, to all participants, for their valuable contributions. And above all, I would like to thank our interpreters who stick by our side every hour of the day. Thank you.