Maintenance of international peace and security - Security Council, 9977th meeting

Very good morning. The 9977th meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is: Maintenance of international peace and security; Maritime security; prevention, innovation and international cooperation to address emerging challenges. The agenda is adopted. Before each of you is a list of speakers who have requested to participate, in accordance with rules 37 and 39 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. We propose that they be invited to participate in this meeting. There being no objection, it is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item 2 of the agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2025/483, a letter dated 23 July 2025 from the Permanent Representative of Panama to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting a concept paper on the item under consideration. In line with Rule 39 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite to participate in this meeting the following: Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization; Mr. Ricarte Vázquez Morales, CEO of the Panama Canal Authority, and Mr. Valdes Alburica, Secretary General of Interpol. It is so decided. I will now give the floor to Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, a distinguished Panamanian. and Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization.

Thank you all. His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Panama, Excellencies, distinguished representatives, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for this kind invitation and for the opportunity to address you on this important issue related to maritime security. is one of the great enablers of the global economy. Despite geopolitical, shipping has proven remarkably resilient, moving over 12.6 billion tons of goods in 2024, with a workforce of just 1.9 million seafarers keeping global trade afloat. Yet, resilience cannot breed complacency. The safety and security of the maritime sector is fundamental to economic stability, sustainable maritime development, and to livelihoods. Threats to shipping are ever present. 2024 alone, nearly 150 incidents of piracy and armed robbery were reported, with the highest numbers of reported incidents Singapore, the Indian and West Africa. These attacks jeopardize vessels and cargo and the lives of seafarers and the integrity of global trade. Security threats go beyond piracy. Unlawful attacks on the area violate international freedom of navigation. The shipping industry continues to face growing challenges, such as trafficking and fraudulent activity, which threaten to undermine the established flag state enforcement regime. Every journey remains safe and secure. I am grateful for the support of the United Nations Security Council in the seriousness of this matter. for the call for an immediate cessation on international shipping and require continued monitoring of the situation. These resolutions, the U.N. Security Council of seafarers in maritime security and its essential maintenance for the stability of global supply chains and sustainable economic development. Our colleagues response must be rooted in prevention, constant vigilance, innovation, and continuously strengthening regional and international cooperation. The International Maritime Organization has developed binding mandatory requirements, including the 2004-2005 revised protocols for the suppression of unlawful acts at sea, or SUA treaties, and requirements to address cybersecurity threats within mandatory safety management systems. Over more than two decades, IMO's capacity development projects have been instrumental in building regional capacity to address maritime security threats, on establishing information sharing in cooperative arrangements. Successful frameworks include the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia, the Djibouti Code of Conduct and its Jeddah Amendments, Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden, and the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and its Security Agreement amongst countries in West and Central Africa. The recent IMO maritime adopted in June this year and regional maritime information sharing centers to enhance maritime safety and security, a step forward in addressing organized crime and bolstering situational awareness. Partnerships with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Interpol, as well as Generous donor states support IMO-led execution of ports recipient state to strengthen national capabilities and build regional trust. These include the Safe Seas for Africa project, the crisis response in the Indian Ocean, port security and safety of navigation in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, regional programs for maritime security in the Red Sea area, and boosting implementation of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct. A common threat in support for strengthened national maritime governance, a whole-of-government approach, and integration coordination, compliance with global standards in regional information sharing. We also rely and are grateful for the continued support of international and regional Naval forces emerging technologies, from AI-driven valence to satellite monitoring systems, unprecedented to anticipate and the digitalization of shipping urgency of robust cybersecurity governance. While addressing maritime security, we must not lose sight of our responsibility to protect the ocean. Maritime safety and security and environmental support for countries to develop and enhance response capabilities, including from is ongoing. IMO continues to advance regulations to address a series of major projects addressing shipping decarbonization, biofouling, which can result in invasive aquatic biodiversity, and on the water environmental and safety matters depends on a base of to ensure and enhance maritime security. We have the from many donors to continuously strengthen national and regional operation. At the same time, obligations to implement the established international and environmental protection of shipping. When geopolitical tensions disrupt shipping, as we have recently in the Red Sea area, 24, the only way forward is constructive dialogue. Maritime security is not just technical, it is deeply human. The ocean connects us all, and shipping and seafarers' lives depend on your shared commitment to safe navigation. Once again, Thank you to His Excellency, the President of Panama, for this kind invitation, and thank you to the UN Security Council for its continued support to the work of IMO. Thank you very much.

I thank Mr. Dominguez for his briefing and his very interesting briefing. I now get the floor. to Mr. Ricaute Vázquez Morales, the CEO of the Panama Canal Authority.

Mr. President, distinguished members of the Council, it’s an honor to take the floor before you on behalf of one of the most emblematic channels for human cooperation: the Panama Canal. From its construction to its modern Panamanian administration, the canal has been much more than a commercial route. It has served as a bridge between nations, a model of functional neutrality, and a reminder that the common good demands constant commitment.

I recognize the leadership of the Republic of Panama under the presidency of His Excellency José Raúl Mulino. whose unwavering determination to fostering international cooperation is reflected in his stewardship of this organization. This achievement highlights the dedication of all involved. Through recent agreements and reforms, Panama has demonstrated its commitment to strengthening the rule of law and the well-being and prosperity for all Panamanians.

I wish to share three perspectives from our experience that we believe resonate with the current global challenges that we're facing. Firstly, the strength of principles-based neutrality. The Panama Canal is governed by an international treaty which safeguards equal access to all nations in times of peace or war. This promise, which is incorporated in our constitution, has enabled a small country to contribute stability to global trade, shielding this infrastructure from geopolitical tensions that also too often stymie progress. The canal is overseen by a board of directors comprising nine members who are carefully appointed with staggered terms transcending electoral cycles. This ensures continuity and safeguards the operational decisions from short-term political influences. In addition, we have an advisory board comprising distinguished international advisors with extensive global-level experience. Panama Canal's structure fosters transparency, technical competence, and political stability. In this way, we confirm this confirms how the Panama Canal is there to serve humanity, which has enabled a small country to, as I've already said, contribute stability to global trade. Secondly, the transformative power of responsible management. In 25 years under Panamanian administration, the canal has doubled its capacity, expanded its locks, and enhanced its security. It has evolved from being a strategic path into a model of efficiency, transparency, and technical commitment. Every dollar generated is reinvested to ensure that this artery continues to beat strongly for the service for the world, and any surpluses are invested socially in Panama. It was under Panamanian administration that the canal's expansion was completed in 2016 with a third set of locks. This was heralded as one of the greatest infrastructure achievements of our time. The expansion of the Panama Canal through a third set of locks increased the cargo volume transiting the canal by 50% while maintaining the same number of annual transits, that is approximately 13,500. This Neo-Panamax lock has fundamentally transformed global maritime transport patterns, serving fleets with vessels that are three times greater in capacity while maintaining operational efficiency and high maritime security standards. It is anticipated that by the end of this fiscal year, 53% of the income from the canal will be generated by this new lock. Third, the urgent need to adapt to climate change. The 2023-2024 drought we believe, was a global wake-up call. With innovation in water conservation, logistical adjustments, and the decision to build an artificial lake, we acted to ensure water supplies and continued commerce. We stress that the artificial lake project is not moving ahead in an isolated fashion. Rather, plans were taken to ensure environmental safeguards, and that this was done in line with the best international practices, recognizing the need to strike a balance between developing infrastructure on the one hand with respecting human rights and environmental preservation on the other. In Panama, we have learned that looking after water means protecting peace. But looking at the present moment isn't enough. Today, we're building the future of the canal. Clearly, we are integrating logistical and energy corridors, expanding our port infrastructure, and developing new capacity for cleaner fuels. We are preparing not only for greater cargo volume, but also for smarter, greener, and more planet-conscious transit. The canal is not static. It is evolving. And it is evolving because the world needs it to. Because trade needs resilient routes. Because peace demands technological cooperation, and because people need institutions that serve them beyond borders. Allow me to place our conversation in a global context now. More than 100,000 commercial vessels cross the oceans of the world every year, transporting approximately 80% of global trade. The Panama Canal even though it is only 15 nautical miles in length, acts as a powerful lever for global efficiency, saving each vessel thousands of miles of navigation, which, depending on the number of transits every year, avoids up to 16 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Today, the canal both technologies that strengthen climate resilience, it creates financial mechanisms and ensure water and environmental security, while at the same time implementing efficient governance to harness the rapid progress in artificial intelligence and collaborating to strengthen cybersecurity on our roads and our logistics systems. It is also promoting collective commitments to decarbonize global transport and is aligned with the carbon neutrality target for 2050 of the International Maritime Organization. This is indeed mainstreamed within our operations. The Panama Canal is living proof that global public goods can be administered with equity, responsibility, and vision. If Panama has been able to care for a waterway through which a considerable amount of global trade passes, then the entire international community can also protect what connects and sustains us. Mr. President, through sustained cooperation, constant adaptation, and steadfast commitment to the principles of international law, the canal will remain a safe and efficient route ready to serve not only this generation, but also many more to come. We trust that by working together, we will be able to keep open not only waterways, but also the channels of understanding, peace, and solidarity. Thank you very much.

I thank Mr. Vázquez Morales for the valuable briefing that he provided to the Council. I now give the floor to Mr. Baldeci Aurkissa, Secretary General of the International Organization of Police, Interpol.

Mr. President, Ambassadors, Excellencies.

Members of the Security Council, on behalf of Interpol, and the global law enforcement community. I would like to thank Panama as the Council's presidency for bringing us together and for advancing the Security Council's focus on maritime threats. For thousands of years, maritime routes have connected distant shores, forming the world's first truly global network. Today, and more than ever, That same network is exploited by criminals who threaten navigation, trade, communication, and with them, the global stability essential to the sustainable development. Interpol occupies a truly unique position in the global security architecture as the only international criminal police organization with the mandate to connect law enforcement agencies worldwide. Today, Mr. President, I want to share what we are seeing from the front lines and offer concrete steps we can take to confront maritime crime. Traditional maritime threats like piracy and armed robbery remain deeply rooted and in some regions are surging. This is particularly concerning in Southeast Asia, where we are seeing a sharp increase in such attacks, from the Gulf of Guinea and Singapore Straits to the Red Sea and Somali coast. These threats continue to endanger lives and disrupt critical maritime corridors, with far-reaching consequences for regional stability and global supply chains. We also continue to see the crime-terror nexus play out at sea, where groups are taping into criminal supply chains, moving weapons, operatives, and illicit goods to finance their activities. These trends point to a broader shift. What were once isolated offenses have evolved into converging maritime threats. carried out through the same command structures, routes, and financial flows. Off the coast of West Africa, Interpol supported the tracking of a transnational network that repurposed the very same infrastructure to traffic drugs, move armed individuals, and smuggle endangered wildlife. In the Americas, we saw traffickers manipulate legitimate trade channels. mislabeling protected timber as ordinary wood, and concealing cocaine in the same shipments. This is polycriminality at sea, making criminals more resilient and enforcement more complex. At the same time, we are seeing new and less visible dangers. As ports go digital with automated vessel management, cargo tracking, and logistics, Vulnerabilities are emerging faster than they can be secured. Ports are facing a wave of cyber intrusions, targeting the power, communication, and logistics systems they rely on. Cyber criminals can weaponize artificial intelligence to attack with greater speed, scale, and precision. Many ports are appealing targets. Minimal cybersecurity, maximal exposure. Mr. President, criminal networks are exploiting every gap between jurisdictions and every weakness in our cooperation. These threats call for a coordinated global response, one that strengthens the rule of law and drives innovative solutions. The legal frameworks exist, the commitment is clear. What is needed is action that brings both to the front lines through multilateral cooperation. And there is a platform built for exactly this purpose. Interpol is where multilateral commitments become operational reality, helping member countries delivering concrete results against maritime crime threats. This is built upon three key pillars or imperatives I submit to you today. First, effective data-driven international cooperation. Law enforcement, customs, port security, and judicial authorities are most effective when they operate as a part of a cohesive information network. As a neutral organization, Interpol serves as a trusted global information hub, connecting law enforcement across 196 member countries. Through our secure communication systems and our 19 global databases, hosting over 100 million criminal records and accessed over 8 billion times a year, Interpol helps member countries harness emerging technologies to reinforce their national and regional security frameworks. Our global maritime security database captures real-time intelligence on incidents, vessels, and criminal networks, shared with us by states in line with Security Council Resolutions 2634 and 2608. This allows us to identify patterns early and prevent threats before they reach your shores. Just last week, a database search helped police in Panama identify the leader of a trafficking network moving cocaine by sea to Europe hidden in commercial wine shipments. That is the power of timely, actionable data. A single piece of intelligence available at the right place and time can mean the difference between a match and a missed opportunity. The second pillar Mr. President, is a multilateral operational and investigative support. Maritime investigations are uniquely complex. They can involve fast-moving vessels, scattered evidence, and legal systems that do not always align. That is why Interpol coordinates multilateral operations on land and at sea, and provides intelligence analysis on shared information in real time. bringing together law enforcement from across jurisdictions, and therefore strengthening cooperation, building trust, and delivering results. Interpol response teams are also deployed upon request to support special and sensitive investigations and for the collection of evidence. These efforts have exposed and disrupted highly organized criminal networks. confirming both the level of the threat and the success that international cooperation can bring. The third pillar is global threat expertise and outreach. No country should be expected to confront maritime crime alone, or without the resources to match the sophistication of modern threats. Through our Maritime Security Program, we help countries strengthen security and coordination in critical waterways. Working with international donors and partners like the International Maritime Organization and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, we provide a combination of global reach, trusted tools, and operational expertise. to detect illicit goods and build regional networks of port security experts. And as criminals adopt new technologies, we support law enforcement keep pace by providing the skills and tools to respond effectively and responsibly. This includes extending our secure communication network to coastal and small island states, connecting the front lines of maritime security to the global law enforcement network, and equipping them with the data and expertise to address both physical and cyber maritime threats. Mr. President, Excellencies, Interpol plays a crucial and essential role in the global security architecture. To truly have a lasting impact, we must strengthen security through development. Allow me to leave three key takeaways. First, INTERPOL has a presence in each member country. It is therefore serves as a bridge for law enforcement agencies by fostering cooperation through a multilateral, multi-stakeholder approach. Second, we invite member countries to see INTERPOL as a trusted partner of choice including at your critical seaports, to identify and deter potential threats linked to individuals, cargoes, or vessels. And third, we invite the Security Council to support Interpol as an essential global partner in legal instruments like conventions, resolutions, or declarations. Mr. President, Interpol has the mandate and capabilities to support the Security Councils as well as our member countries on both preventing maritime security threats and investigating the criminal networks behind them. This is a powerful resource that is already available and which has proven to be effective to mitigate global security threats. We stand ready to work with you to make a multilateral strategy an effective global response. Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank Mr. Urquiza for that interesting briefing provided to the Council this morning. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as President of the Republic of Panama. At the outset, I would like to express my thanks to all of those delegations for distinguishing us with their valuable participation. It is our sincere wish that this open debate serve to promote a discussion of global maritime matters, which is an important matter for the member countries of this organization. Equally, it is my immense privilege to represent my country here at the Security Council, the mission of which is to protect international peace and security. It is an honor to take the floor at this forum as President of the Republic of Panama, where there is a robust consensus to defend one of the pillars of global stability, maritime security. My country holds a geographically strategic position, historically linked to the oceans, and seriously takes up its responsibility in maintaining safe, efficient, and sustainable maritime routes. We are a country that is intrinsically linked to maritime trade from colonial times up to the present century. We're a symbol of unity, a tool for globalization and international logistical efficiency. Today, more than 80% of global trade by volume is transported via maritime routes. This is an enormous, immeasurable indicator that reflects our interdependence. And like every interdependence, it calls for clear rules, cooperation, and respect. Every day, more than 100,000 commercial vessels navigate our seas and oceans. This movement translates into 11 billion tons of cargo annually transported on international waters. These figures clearly illustrate the scale of the activity and the challenges that arise from it. Those of us here are all too aware of the threats posed both to us and to you by illegal fishing, by modern piracy, drugs trafficking, human trafficking, terrorist attacks. and the misuse of vessels to evade international sanctions. The maritime domain is one that is particularly vulnerable to the expansion of transnational organized crime, where multiple threats converge, compromising security, the economy, and the sovereignty of states. Illicit drugs trafficking, weapons trafficking, migrant trafficking, and the trafficking of counterfeit goods is largely carried out via maritime routes, which remain very porous due to limited surveillance capacity and a lack of effective cooperation between countries. Ladies and gentlemen, in the face of these challenges, Panama has taken a clear stance, responsible leadership and effective action. Good maritime governance, as practiced by Panama, ensures vessel traceability, facilitates maritime surveillance and control, and actively contributes to the prevention of international crime. The role of port concessionaires is crucial in this regard. They must be integrated into a comprehensive maritime security system. Ports are one of the most vulnerable, areas that are most vulnerable to illicit activities carried out by large, globally connected organized groups. Our flag, which flies over 14% of the world's merchant fleet, is a symbol of our maritime tradition. and represents an active commitment to international standards, such as the SOLAS and MARPOL conventions and the ISPS Code, as well as the ILO's Maritime Labour Convention. Our ship register system has been strengthened through rigorous due diligence controls. We have an executive decree, that is 512 of 2024. This has allowed us to take decisive measures to exclude from our fleet any vessel or owner linked to international sanctions lists. Panama is not, nor will it ever be, a refuge for those who violate international law or threaten the security of the oceans. Behind every Panamanian flag on a vessel stands a country that supports security, control, and transparent compliance with current regulations. Our flagging system is institutionalized and backed by the guarantee of a state that stands behind that flag. Panamanian ship registration is not a franchise. The Panamanian ship registry comprises 8,810 vessels under our flag, representing 14% of the global maritime fleet, equivalent to some 241 million gross registered tons. Our country reaffirms its firm commitment to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing through effective and deterrent sanctions, institutional strengthening with a robust legal framework, and investment in mechanisms, technologies, and equipment to bolster surveillance, traceability, and control. This effort further supported by international cooperation and aligned with the highest standards, seeks to protect marine biodiversity and ensure sustainable development. Panama has increased its ability to monitor both international and national fleets, working closely with its international partners. Furthermore, the country recently approved its accession to the WTO's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. This is a firm step towards eliminating and combating IUU fishing. It's imperative that we highlight that multilateralism is the fundamental basis for strengthening all global maritime protection measures and strategies, Panama recognizes and reaffirms its commitment to the International Maritime Organization, an entity whose work is essential for the development and implementation of security strategies. Moreover, the IMO is presided by a highly capable and experienced Panamanian who is with us at this meeting today. We also acknowledge the need to step up and update efforts within this Security Council in light of the constantly evolving challenges posed by crime in all of its forms. Strengthening the sanctions regime for activities that use maritime transport as a means of evading current regulations is essential. Here, I wish to clarify that this Council's mission is not only to prevent crime or take concrete action to reduce the activities of criminal terrorist groups, it is also to protect peace among nations. In this context, once again, I reiterate that public international law is the guarantee of legality above any economic or military power asymmetry that may exist. Preserving the neutrality of these routes is imperative for peace and true international security, since they are essential spaces for international trade, cooperation, and global stability. To conclude, I'd like to share that our canal serves 180 maritime routes connecting with more than 1,920 ports in 170 countries. Our neutrality, which is enshrined in an international treaty to which more than 40 states have acceded, stands as a guarantee of free transit and stability. The Panama Canal is the central pillar of our country's maritime infrastructure, which is complemented by a robust port system. Indeed, one of the most dynamic and efficient in the region, and by the continuous and sustained development of the Panamanian ship registry within a national maritime and logistics strategy. The Panama Canal has grown and expanded over the past 25 years using Panamanian resources, as we've just heard from our CEO. We have been facilitators of trade and sustainability in the global maritime industry. Panama is one of only three carbon negative countries in the world. We pursue a vision of sustainable development through the protection of natural areas and the stewardship of one of the world's richest biodiversities. The joint work between the national government, and the Panama Canal Authority, in accordance with its constitutional and legal autonomy, in terms of security, meets the highest international standards. We also receive support from countries such as the United States that, in terms of security, provides great capacity in terms of preventing cyber-terrorist attacks. Our canal is a demonstration that neutrality is a fundamental contribution to world peace and the development of international trade. The safe transit of all vessels in times of peace and war is a guarantee of navigational security for the world. I wish to close with an invitation to joint action that will allow us to focus our efforts on security, reducing risks that threaten peace, and promoting international trade. Thank you very much. I now resume my function as President of the Council. I shall now give the floor to those delegations who wish to make a statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Republic of Korea.

Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate Panama's presence for convening this meeting on maritime security, and I thank IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, CEO of the Panama Canal Authority, Ricardo de Vásquez, and Interpol Secretary-General Valdesi Urquiza for their insightful briefings. Today, a secure maritime domain is absolutely essential. for ensuring global trade, communications, and supply chains. However, their imperative and not withstanding, maritime routes are constantly under various threats, from traditional ones such as pirates and terrorism to emerging ones such as cyber attacks. Such a complicated maritime security landscape calls for the Council to actively engage with this evolving issue. Let me highlight three key points in this regard. First, the protection of civilian vessels must be ensured through the faithful implementation of international law and strengthened response capabilities. Despite the protection afforded under international law, Threats against civilian shipping and safe navigation continue to occur, notably in the Red Sea and Singapore Strait. Furthermore, unlawful launch of ballistic missiles by North Korea without prior notification or navigational warnings pose a grave risk to maritime safety, to say nothing of regional and global security. To address such immediate threats and safeguard critical sea lanes, it is vital to ensure all relevant obligations under international law, including UNCLOS, are met and develop a comprehensive response framework for maritime threats. As a means to facilitate comprehensive response in high-risk waters, like the Gulf of Aden, The Republic of Korea conducted joint exercises with the Navy, relevant authorities, and shipping companies to ensure all actors are fully prepared for their rapid responses when commercial vessels are under threats in the waters. We hope our experience can serve as a good practice for all relevant states in developing response framework in high-risk waters. Second, addressing transnational maritime crimes requires strengthened maritime governance through international cooperation and information sharing. Transnational crimes such as piracy, drug trafficking, and human smuggling continue to affect all regions. In 2024, 116 cases of piracy and armed robbery at sea were reported globally, and around 80% of illicit drug trafficking occurs over maritime routes. Given their cross-border and interconnected nature, such crimes can be effectively addressed only through timely, transparent, and accessible information sharing among relevant actors. An important platform for supporting such information sharing is the Global Integrated Shipping Information System, GISIS, of the IMO, which provides key data to identify and respond to maritime threats. Yet such data can only be fully leveraged when it is presented in a manner that relevant authorities can instantly detect and respond to the risk. In this context, The Republic of Korea contributed $2.2 million to the GISIS enhancement project, which commenced last year. Its aim is to digitalize, analyze, and visualize relevant data so that users can easily understand its context and address the risk accordingly. We hope our contributions can support all members in exploiting exploiting data to effectively address maritime risks. Third, as emerging technologies hold great potential to enhance maritime security, we should explore ways to harness these opportunities while also mitigating associated risks. Artificial intelligence and satellite-based surveillance technologies are being used to detect illicit transshipment. prevent maritime accidents, and monitor illegal fishing. For example, AI-based video analytic systems can identify abnormal vessels approach patterns to flag potential transshipment activities. Moreover, the integration of a satellite autonomous identification system, AIS, data enables the tracking of dark ships. However, these technologies remain vulnerable to cyberattacks, and malicious actors often misuse them through autonomous platforms to evade sanctions or by spoofing AIS signals. As such, my delegation underscores the need for the international community to remain engaged in promoting the responsible use of emerging technologies and encourages the Security Council to play a constructive role in this regard. In conclusion, Mr. President, maritime security is a shared responsibility, critical to international security and sustainable development. As a peninsula nation, depending on 99 percent of its trade through maritime transport, and a responsible member of this Council, the Republic of Korea stands ready actively contribute to these efforts. I thank you.

Gracias.

Thank you to the distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea. I now give the floor to the representative of Algeria.

Thank you, Mr. President. Your Excellency, Mr. José Raúl Molino, we greatly appreciate your decision to chair this meeting, this meeting which stands as a testament of the importance that Panama attaches to multilateralism, to the United Nations, to the Security Council, and to the topic under discussion today, I mean maritime security. We thank the CEO of the Panama Canal Authority, the SG of IMO, and the SG of INTERPOL for their insightful presentations. Algeria is pleased to take part in this important discussion and expresses its appreciation to Panama for convening this debate on such a critical issue, especially against the backdrop of international efforts to address the growing and complex challenges facing maritime security. As a country with a long Mediterranean coastline and a deep commitment to regional security and global stability, Algeria strongly supports all efforts to better protect our maritime spaces from illicit activities that threaten the safety, the economies, and the sovereignty of coastal nations. We believe that existing regional frameworks, such as the African Union 2050, called Africa's Integrated Maritime Strategy, offer a solid foundation for regional cooperation, but to be fully effective, this mechanism must be strengthened through more robust funding, enhancing capacity building, and closer cooperation among regional navies and coast guards. Greater coordination on the ground is key to tackling shared threats, such as piracy, arms and drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and the smuggling of people. Mr. President, Algeria believes the time has come to consider the establishment of a dedicated UN mechanism focused especially on maritime security. Such a body could help coordinate rapid response, facilitate the sharing of information, and improve cooperation among all relevant actors. within international law. This should be done in close partnership with regional stakeholders. Improving maritime security also requires us to work better together. This includes joint naval exercises, harmonizing legal frameworks, and implementing implementing shared surveillance tools. In this regard, my country sees special potential in new technologies, including satellite monitoring, artificial intelligence, and big data to improve early detection and support real-time responses to suspicious maritime activity. On the issue of piracy, we must remember that security at sea often begins on land. Addressing root causes like poverty, conflicts, and weak governance remains essential. Any lasting maritime security strategy must be accompanied by development efforts that promote the resilience of coastal communities and the global economy as a whole. In closing, President, Algeria reaffirms its strong support for a maritime security architecture that is inclusive, cooperative, and forward-looking. We stand ready to work with all member states to ensure our seas remain safe, our partnerships resilient and grounded on the principle of solidarity, and our ocean heritage protected for generations to come. I thank you.

Thank you very much. Thank you to the distinguished representative of Algeria for that statement. We now give the floor to the representative of Guyana.

Thank you, Mr. President. Your Excellency Jose Raul Molino, President of the Republic of Panama, Guyana welcomes your participation in today's meeting and commends Panama for organizing this important debate on maritime security. I also thank Secretary General Dominguez of the International Maritime Organization, Chief Executive Officer of the Panama Canal Authority, Mr. Vasquez, and Secretary General of the International Criminal Police, Mr. Urquiza, for their valuable contributions. Having discussed this subject a few months ago under the Greek Presidency, Guyana believes that today's meeting is complementary. and represents not only the growing importance of global maritime security, but also the need for the Security Council to be fully seized of the various aspects of the issue and how we can collectively address them. We acknowledge the vital role of the Panama Canal in making global trade more efficient and note the ongoing efforts to improve its sustainability. Mr. President, I will make three points. First, the briefings this morning have outlined in clear terms the global challenges facing the maritime sector today, from piracy and the trafficking of goods, people, drugs, and arms by sea to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Maritime crimes are increasing at an alarming rate and demand a multilateral response. Guyana supports this approach and views cooperation and mutual exchange as essential for realizing more creative, strong, and comprehensive solutions to common challenges. In this regard, we see robust international cooperation as critical for reducing emerging threats in the maritime domain and for the global community to stay ahead of the criminal networks that threaten global maritime security. To be effective, we need to develop and improve mechanisms that promote knowledge sharing, information exchange, and technology transfer for mutual benefit. It is also vital that we work together in leveraging the use of new and existing technologies to enhance surveillance, communication, and response capabilities. Secondly, the Security Council needs to play a stronger role in supporting efforts to safeguard the security of our oceans. Notwithstanding the important work being carried out by technical agencies and other bodies, there is need for a broader discussion and a more comprehensive approach to assessing and addressing maritime threats with a transnational dimension. At the center of such discussions would have to be the subject of international law and the responsibility of states in combating crimes at sea and protecting navigational freedom and the marine environment. There is need for there is need to ensure stronger coordination through bilateral and multilateral cooperation at the technical and political levels, and for a more dedicated focus on technology transfer to developing states. Finally, Maritime safety also encompasses the safety of the marine environment from pollution, which must remain at the forefront of the discourse considering the evolving climate environment. This was emphasized during the 2025 UN Oceans Conference in the context of decarbonizing the maritime sector by reducing pollution from ships. Guyana sees value in supporting initiatives aimed at instituting clean air policies in shipping and supporting the development of new low-carbon fuels and propulsion modes. These should be developed in line with the IMO's steps towards establishing a legally binding framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships globally, which would benefit both the climate and the marine environment. Enhancing climate mitigation and resilience measures through better emissions tracking and climate adaptive infrastructure must also be leveraged to safeguard against the potential of climate change being a risk multiplier to global maritime insecurity. In closing, Mr. President, Guyana stands ready to continue working with fellow Council members and other relevant stakeholders in advancing the discussion and promoting initiatives that protect our shared maritime space for future generations. I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Representative of Guyana.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

I would like to greet you as president of today's meeting, Mr. President. We are grateful for it being called on such an important issue as maritime security. We would like to thank today's briefers for providing their information. The challenges and threats at sea are becoming increasingly diverse in nature, some of them including piracy and the linkage between criminals and international terrorism, indeed do fall under the remit of the Security Council. The proactive actions taken in line with its central role, including the adoption on 16 December 2008 of resolution 1851 on establishing the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, did broadly curb the phenomenon of piracy in the 21st century. Measures were also taken to strengthen the military and maritime and law enforcement capacity of a number of regional states, and dozens of pirates were detained and prosecuted. The Russian Federation has been actively involved in these efforts. and it provided its naval forces to escort civilian vessels and also participated in work of the relevant regional formats. However, of ongoing serious concern are instances of armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea. There have been a number of incidents, including Russian seafarers being taken hostage. In order to improve the military preparedness and technological equipment of the coast guards of the country of the region, we have expanded our financial assistance from the annual voluntary contributions of the Russian Federation to the UN Office for Drugs and Crime. As regards terrorism at sea, in pure terms, it is extremely rare. One such high-profile example of terrorist attacks over recent times is the explosion of the Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Baltic Sea in September 2022. This incident became possible, as we all know, in the context of the rabid anti-Russian stance of the previous American administration, headed up by Joe Biden, which undoubtedly created serious risk for international peace and security. Any of our attempts to initiate an independent international investigation of this criminal act or adopt measures through the Security Council were repeatedly blocked by its Western members. Once again, this makes us question the circumstances regarding the preparation and implementation of this terrorist attack. In support of their position, they, as we all recall, referred to their total faith in national investigations being conducted by Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. They expressed upstream their limitless belief that they would be effective and credible. As we know, the effectiveness of the investigations of Denmark and Sweden led to a zero result. The German authorities are still taking their time and are repeatedly refusing to provide substantive information about the investigation either to the Security Council or to the entire international community. This is fueling various speculation and absolutely improbable versions in the international media. However, whatever Berlin says in terms of artificially restraining the publication of the German investigation, the truth will out and the perpetrators will be located and punished. Mr. President, Now, moving to the issue of maritime security, we’d like to underscore that such matters do not come under the remit of the Security Council either. Such matters must be dealt with by the relevant international structures. In particular, developing unified approaches to combat organized crime as a whole, including its maritime component, is the purview of the General Assembly and the ECOSOC subsidiary organs, in particular the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Currently, there has been a good database with all the decisions of these organs on various aspects of countering transnational crime, and that has been set up. Also, a whole system of specialized organizations has been set up and is running smoothly. This includes Interpol, and the Secretariat, the Secretary-General is here today. The role of these organizations is to increase the effectiveness of international cooperation to respond to such threats. It's hard to overestimate the significance of bilateral cooperation and mutual legal assistance on criminal cases. Without this, it's not possible to tackle transnational crime seriously. It's very important for such a mechanism to function on a clear and predictable basis without politicization and double standards. As we are well aware, today there is a serious problem with this. The requests from relevant Russian authorities in most Western countries are not complied with, even in circumstances when this is clearly stipulated in the provisions of the relevant international treaties or the Security Council resolutions. This is done purely for political reasons. As a result, it is the transnational criminals who win. They enjoy complete impunity. In today's concept note, mention is made of climate change. We'd like to underscore that monitoring this and developing response measures and adaptation measures also does not come under the remit of the Security Council. Specialized mechanisms have been set up and are running based on the relevant international legal instruments, primarily the UNFCCC of 1992. We deem attempts to use the environment as an excuse for strengthening security measures as unacceptable. We have to note that the topic of climate change is increasingly being taken hostage to different kinds of political speculation and speculative ideas that are neither backed up in theory nor practice. In contrast, the damage caused to maritime trade, freedom of navigation, and the sustainable global supply chain by unilateral coercive measures imposed by the West is very real indeed. This instrument is used by them to violate international law, to support their own domination, and to carry out unfair competition through non-economic means. Having stable and predictable maritime logistics is important for all countries, and for small island states and coastal developing states, this, in fact, is a matter of their very existence. Unfortunately, we're increasingly observing actions designed to create artificial barriers and threats in these relations. Unilateral rather coercive measures are a priori unlawful and using them contravenes international law. This fact does not prevent states who use UCMs to refer to attempts to circumvent these, and I reiterate, these absolutely illegal measures, to pin a label that a vessel belongs to a so-called shadow fleet. I'd like to underscore that this term has no legal backup. It is not transparent and is not international. In other words, it's nothing but arbitrariness, once again, from Western countries. They hide behind this to use any means to cling on to their domination in the world. In practice, such actions purely serve to complicate logistics and increase the cost of goods for consumers. All of this ultimately means that developing countries suffer the most. Mr. President, When we consider the issue of maritime security, we cannot fail to mention the actions of individual states to whip up tensions in regions often located thousands of nautical miles from their own borders. They are presented as naval operations to support freedom of navigation. However, in practice, we're talking about these same old provocations. Of particular danger is the cases of the infringement and encroachment by Western states of fundamental maritime freedoms, including freedom of maritime navigation and the rights to peaceful and transit passage. At the meeting of the Greek Presidency in the Security Council in May, we recounted the egregious actions of the Estonian patrol vessel trying to take by force the tanker that was navigating in international waters. There were two attempts to seize the vessel from a helicopter, and then a naval motorboat of the Estonian Navy actually tried to ram the tanker. This comes under the same topic I mentioned today that is not international legal in nature whatsoever, namely the so-called excuse to combat the shadow fleet. UNCLOS of 1982 contains an exhaustive list of situations where stopping a vessel is authorized that's flying under another flag, authorized for inspection. This list, neither that list nor the convention will have any mention of this so-called shadow fleet. The inviolability of maritime freedom and also the principle of the sole jurisdiction of a flag state regarding the vessel in international waters is key for stable and predictable functioning of the international maritime trade system. In this regard, the actions of Estonia and its European support group have created a dangerous precedent. If other states follow this example, then the global supply chain will be broken and maritime trade will cease. Using naval forces and resources of NATO countries for such illegal actions is a direct path to military escalation and will create new risks for maritime security. In conclusion, Mr. President, I'd like to touch on what was mentioned in the concept note, namely the initiative to set up an international body for maritime security. In our opinion, such efforts undertaken at the national level and also through the relevant regional and universal organizations are fully effective and sufficient. We would urge everyone to focus on improving them where necessary and not to complicate the context for their implementation into aliyah through unlawful actions that I've already mentioned.

Thank you.

Thank you very much to the representative of the Russian Federation. I now give the floor to the representative of Sierra Leone.

Thank you, Mr. President. I warmly welcome Your Excellency, José Raúl Mulino, President of the Republic of Panama, to the Council, and commend Panama's leadership in convening this important high-level open debate. We extend our appreciation to Mr. Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Marine Organization, Mr. Vazquez, Chief Executive Officer of the Panama Canal Authority, and Mr. Oquiza, the Secretary General of Interpol, for their comprehensive and important briefings. CLO values this timely discussion, which reinforces our shared responsibility to safeguard the oceans as vital conduits for global peace, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. The interlinkages between these objectives reflect the spirit of multilateralism and international law as underscored in the pact for the future. We acknowledge with particular appreciation the administration by Panama of the Panama Canal, one of the most important and strategic waterways in the world. For decades, this neutral and secure passage has facilitated peaceful and uninterrupted transit of vessels of all nations, connecting Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and sustaining global trade. It is the model of how international maritime infrastructure can be managed responsibly for the global common good, balancing commercial, environmental, and security considerations. With over 80% of global trade by volume and the vast majority of international data traffic depending on undersea cables, maritime supply chains remain the backbone of the global economy. Yet they face intensifying threats ranging from piracy, armed robbery, and terrorism to illicit trafficking, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, environmental degradation, climate change, and emerging risks from drones, cyberattacks, shadow fleets, and the misuse of artificial intelligence. The path for the future in this regard calls for collective action to safeguard maritime trade routes, strengthen governance, enhance capacity building, and improve cooperation to protect marine resources and critical infrastructure. Mr. President, in light of the foregoing, allow me to highlight three key points. First, complex and evolving maritime threats jeopardize both the safety of searoutes and the socioeconomic development of coastal and landlocked states alike. In West Africa, for example, Shifts in global shipping routes due to hostilities in the Red Sea and Black Sea have increased activity along the Gulf of Guinea, heightening the risks of smuggling, terrorism, and piracy. An attack on ports in this corridor would have cascading consequences for trade, revenue, and food security in the region, impacting not only coastal nations such as Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria, but also landlocked countries like the Central African Republic that depend on these ports. Second, maritime security requires harmonized and mutually enforcing global, regional, and national responses. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Relevant Security Council, General Assembly resolutions, and regional institutions must, such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct, the Yaoundé Architecture, the Lomé Charter, and African Union's 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy provide an essential framework. The implementation must be supported by sustainable financing, capacity building, and inclusive participation. We commend the IMO's leadership. I note with appreciation the contributions of cooperative mechanisms such as the African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership, Combined Task Force 151, and EU NAVFOR Somalia, which have significantly reduced piracy incidents in the Horn of Africa and West Indian Oceans. Addressing IUU fishing estimated to cost over 2 billion annually, remains critical. Such practices erode livelihoods, undermine biodiversity, and weaken governance. Initiatives in Ghana, Liberia, Mauritania, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, supported by FAO and civil society, show the value of strengthening transshipment controls and community-based enforcement. Third, Climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation act as risk multipliers for maritime security, disrupting operations and fueling competition over resources. Leveraging innovative and safe technologies such as the Automatic Identification System (AIS), satellite monitoring, drones, and IoT-enabled systems can enhance maritime domain awareness, surveillance, operational readiness, and environmental protection. The Panama Canal's integration of such systems offers a valuable example for resilience and cybersecurity in port and canal management. In particular, AIS satellite networks, unmanned surface vehicles, and advanced sensor systems improve real-time vessel tracking, situational awareness, and threat detection, whether for illegal fishing, oil spills, or other maritime hazards. In closing, Mr. President, sailing calls for a strengthened global governance framework for maritime security, rooted in UNCLOS, aligned with the Pact for the Future and advancing sustainable development, climate resilience, and the fight against transnational crime. This should include open and transparent information sharing between states, multilateral and regional organizations, and the private sector, as well as the responsible and equitable use of technology under clear regulations and oversight. The challenges are shared, and so must be our solutions. Let us work together to ensure that the world's oceans remain secure, sustainable, and open for the benefit of all humankind. Thank you.

Muchas gracias.

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

I thank President Mulino for presiding over today’s open debate. I also thank IMO Secretary-General Dominguez, Panama Canal Authority CEO Vasquez, and Interpol Secretary-General Ouakissa for their briefings. Oceans and seas are vital to human survival and development. They are also a natural platform for inter-civilizational exchange. Each day, more than 100,000 commercial ships sail across the seas. carrying over 80% of global cargo trade. Oceans and seas are the arteries that convey the lifeblood for economic and social activities. Meanwhile, the current international landscape is marked by both change and turbulence, with traditional and non-traditional risks and challenges snowballing. Historical issues and current conflicts of interest intersect in a complex tangle, in the context of which maritime security is drawing increasing attention, we must build broad-based consensus, take responsible actions, and work together to safeguard our blue home. I would like to offer four suggestions. First, international rule of law must be upheld, and equity and justice defended. Without rule of law, peace across the seas is nigh impossible to attain. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is a comprehensive legal instrument governing oceans and seas. UNCLOS, other pertinent international treaties, and customary international law form the bedrock of the modern maritime order. We must firmly safeguard the international maritime order anchored in international law, interpret and apply UNCLOS in its entirety to the letter and in good faith, and say no to selective application thereof and double standards. Second, law enforcement cooperation must be strengthened in combating maritime criminality. Maritime crimes such as piracy, armed robbery at sea, drug and arms trafficking, and human trafficking continue to be perpetrated frequently and increasingly operate hand in glove with, inter alia, land-based conflicts and instability, transnational organized crime, and terrorism financing. Countries must intensify efforts to combat these crimes and enhance law enforcement cooperation to ensure the safety of navigation. It is essential to assist the affected countries in building law enforcement capacity while respecting the sovereignty of coastal states, and to address the root causes of instability through poverty reduction and sustainable development. Third, dialogue and consultation must be promoted to maintain peace and stability. We must effectively implement Security Council resolution 2788, improve crisis communication, strengthen regional cooperation, and commit ourselves to the peaceful resolution of disputes. Historical disputes over maritime territories and rights should be resolved through friendly consultations between the directly concerned parties. China, is concerned by the continuation and escalation of tensions in the Red Sea and urges calm and restraint among the parties. We call on the Houthis to desist from attacks on commercial vessels and to keep international waterways safe and secure. Fourth, global governance must be improved to address emerging challenges. We must uphold true multilateralism and support the UN's active role in jointly tackling such challenges as those concerning marine environmental protection, climate change, and rising sea levels. We should embrace the principles of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation to develop maritime infrastructure, promote the sustainable development and utilization of marine resources, and contribute to achieving the SDGs. It is also important to explore the use of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and satellite remote sensing to enhance our ability to detect and respond to maritime security risks. President, international waterways are a vital lifeline for global trade. We take note of Mr. Mr. Basques's presentation we heard earlier and the pronouncement that you made about the neutrality of the Panama Canal, I'd like to emphasize that Panama has consistently and effectively managed the canal, making significant contributions to global shipping and trade. China has always respected the permanent neutrality of the canal and firmly supports Panama in safeguarding its sovereignty over the canal to ensure its openness and smooth operation. President, the blue planet Humanity inhabits is not divided into standalone islands by the oceans and seas, but rather connected by them into a community with a shared future. As a major developing maritime country, China actively fulfills its obligations under UNCLOS. and constructively participates in the global ocean governance process. China was among the first to sign and is actively advancing the ratification of the BBNJ agreement. We continue to provide maritime public goods to the international community, including hydrographic surveys, maritime navigation, weather forecasts, satellite communications, security, and medical support. To date, we have dispatched 47 escort task forces to the Gulf of Aden and the waters of Somalia. We actively resolve maritime differences through dialogue and negotiation, and work with regional countries to maintain maritime peace and stability. China remains committed to working tirelessly with the rest of the international community to build a maritime community with a shared future. I thank you, President.

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

Thank you very much, Mr. President, Your Excellency. First, I want to welcome you in the Chamber today. Having you chairing this open debate testifies of the importance that Panama attaches to the maritime security. I also want to thank Mr. Dominguez of IMO Mr. Vázquez Morales of Panama Canal Authority, as well as Mr. Urquiza from Interpol for their informative briefings. Mr. President, Slovenia thanks the Presidency for organizing today's important debate with distinguished briefers from IMO, Panama Canal Authority, and Interpol. We welcome the fact that maritime security features prominently on this year's agenda of the Security Council. The oceans connect us all, environmentally, economically, and in terms of our collective security. Their protection and safe use are our shared responsibility. As a maritime nation, Slovenia is keenly aware of the importance of secure and stable sea lanes. Our own port of Koper, situated on the Adriatic coast, serves as a vital gateway between Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, facilitating the movement of goods and supporting regional economic resilience. In today's interconnected world, geopolitical tensions on land often echo at sea. Whether through threats to freedom of navigation, criminal activity, piracy, or the disruption of maritime supply chains, These challenges demand our close and coordinated attention. I would like to make the following three points in this regard. First, as with all matters of international peace and security, we must be guided by international law. In this regard, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, provides the primary legal framework for maritime governance. States are not only bound by these provisions, but are also explicitly obliged to act in good faith to uphold these principles. That includes taking all necessary preventive measures and ensuring accountability where violations occur. The Security Council has a role in underscoring these obligations and supporting efforts to ensure compliance. Second, maritime security must go hand in hand with ocean protection and sustainable development. In the words of Mr. Morales, the CEO of Panama Canal Authority, looking after water means protecting peace. We support expanding marine protected areas, tackling illegal fishing and marine pollution, and fostering a sustainable blue economy that enables inclusive growth for coastal and island nations. Advancing these goals requires strengthened international cooperation, harmonized legal frameworks, and meaningful empowerment of local communities, all essential steps to ensure that ocean health and human prosperity advance together. Third, looking ahead, we must not only secure the seas, but also address the challenges posed by organized crime. The infiltration of legitimate business structures remain a core enabler of organized crime. In light of these developments, we agree with the Secretary General of Interpol: it is imperative that we adopt a forward-looking, intelligence-led and technologically-driven approach to counter the growing threat posed by serious and organized crime. Cross-sectoral cooperation, regulatory innovation, and the strategic use of harmonized digital tools will be central to safeguarding our security and economic resilience. So, Mr. President, let us work together to ensure that seas remain a space of opportunity, not vulnerability. Slovenia remains committed to doing its part. Thank you.

Thank you very much. And now I give the floor to the representative of France.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to thank the Republic of Panama for having convened this meeting on maritime security, and I would like to welcome you here with us today, Mr. President. I’d also like to thank the Secretary General of the IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, and Mr. Ricardo Vázquez Morales. CEO of Panama Canal Authority, and Mr. Valles Esquiza, Secretary General of Interpol. Mr. President, first and foremost, maritime security involves the respect of international law. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea defines the legal framework within which all maritime activities must fit. France reiterates its commitment to freedom of navigation whilst respecting international law. Along these lines, France would like to reiterate its support for the International Maritime Organization that plays a key role in establishing joint high standards in terms of maritime security and preventing and combating marine pollution, and also Protecting the well-being of seafarers. The Security Council has a particular responsibility to ensure the law of the sea is respected and to strive for a peaceful settlement of disputes as part of Article 36 of the UN Charter. Nonetheless, and this is my second point, the maritime area is the theater of transnational threats, which we need to find a collective and coordinated response to. Barriers to freedom of navigation, constitute a major security threat. Given the importance of maritime flows for the global economy, the economic and social challenges linked to this are considerable, in particular for the most vulnerable countries and people. Off the coast of Yemen, the Houthis, supported by Iran, must cease their destabilizing attacks and their violations of the arms embargo. Given the attacks of the Houthis, France remains mobilized as part of the European defensive operation Aspidis in order to maintain freedom of maritime navigation. In resolution 2722, the Security Council reiterated that Member States have the right, in line with international law, to defend their vessels against such attacks. Illicit transshipment is used to circumvent sanctions regimes established by the Security Council to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The Council must remain vigilant, given these violations of its resolutions, and States must bolster their surveillance efforts of maritime traffic. The action of criminal groups engaging in different types of trafficking, in particular trafficking of migrants that we see in the Mediterranean, and drugs trafficking, in particular between Latin America and Europe, fuels insecurity and harms freedom of navigation. To this end, France would reiterate its support for Interpol that strives to strengthen maritime and port security in conjunction with key actors and organizations of the sector. Thirdly, France is committed to promoting maritime safety and security in several regions. In the Gulf of Guinea in particular, France supports its African partners in their work in maritime security as part of the ONDI architecture. This is a specific example of a coordinated, effective response to a cross-border challenge. France supports the region through European initiatives, in particular the coordinated maritime presence in the Gulf of Guinea, and nationally engages through the Corumby operation. France has set up two national maritime training institutions in Abidjan, in Côte d'Ivoire, and Tika in Equatorial Guinea. These efforts to protect the seas are ones that we also conduct as part of The UN 4 EU security and joint defense policies, such as ASPIDAS to preserve freedom of navigation off Yemen, and at Atlanta to combat piracy and trafficking in the Gulf of Aden in the Mediterranean, the Irini operation, which remit is to implement the arms embargo off the coast of Libya. It contributes to combating against trafficking as well. Respecting freedom of navigation is crucial in every sea and every ocean. In the Black Sea, it is crucial for food security and for the global supply chain. Since the start of the Russian aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, France has supported efforts to guarantee the protection of civilian vessels. the security of seafarers, and the export of grain through the Black Sea. France remains concerned by the situation in the South China Sea, where no restriction on the exercise of rights and freedoms stipulated by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, in particular the freedom of the high sea, can be accepted. France is opposed to all use of force and calls for a peaceful settlement of disputes. My fourth point Maritime security cannot be dissociated from the protection of the marine environment and combating pollution and combating climate change. France has embraced its responsibility to protect the ocean and to sustainably manage resources. Because of this, we organized, co-organized with Costa Rica in June, the third UN Conference on Oceans. In Nice, significant progress was made in terms of the signature and ratification of several international agreements. Thanks to active blue diplomacy, 52 states and the European Union have now ratified the BBNJ agreement. We would actively encourage those states who have not yet done so to deposit their instruments of ratification by September 2025, so that the agreement can enter into force in January 2026. Thanks to this United Nations conference, 23 countries have now ratified the so-called Cape Town Agreement of the International Maritime Organization on security for fishing vessels, and this will enter into force as there is sufficient ratification to achieve a total of 3,600 fishing vessels. 2,935 vessels are currently eligible, and the engagement of more countries during UNOC 3 should enable an effective entry into force at the end of 2025. France condemns all unilateral attempts to contravene international law and the regime established by UNCLOS to appropriate mineral resources of the deep seabed outside of the International Seabed Authority. As during the 30th session of the International Seabed Authority in Kingston that closed on the 25th of July, as it did then, France would call upon all states to adopt a, at a very minimum, a pause on exploitation of deep seabed resources beyond national jurisdictions in order to prevent any irreversible damage to marine ecosystems in the absence of sufficient scientific knowledge. In order to better include the ocean in the EU's foreign policies, the first European Pact for the Ocean was presented at the third UN conference in Nice. About 1 billion euros will be invested in the priorities of the pact, and in particular, strengthening maritime security. Mr. President, in conclusion, the safety and security of maritime areas call for collective, resolute, and consistent action. Such action involves strengthening cooperation between various different relevant international organizations. You can count on my country’s commitment along these lines. Thank you very much.

I thank the representative of France for that statement, and I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Pakistan.

Mr. President, Pakistan joins other colleagues in thanking Panama for convening this important debate. Your personal presence, Mr. President, to chair this session reflects the importance that Panama attaches to maritime security and multilateralism. We also thank Mr. Dominguez, Secretary General of the IMO; Mr. Morales, CEO of Panama Canal Authority; and Mr. Urquiza, Secretary General of INTERPOL, for their briefings and valuable perspectives. International cooperation was evidently the common theme of the three briefings. Mr. President, as a coastal state at the confluence of major sea lanes in the northern Arabian Sea, Pakistan accords the highest importance to a secure, rules-based maritime domain critical to our national security, economic resilience, regional connectivity, and food and energy security. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea remains the bedrock for ocean governance, ensuring freedom of navigation, peaceful dispute settlement, and equitable resource sharing. Unwavering adherence to its principles is essential for safeguarding maritime security and peace. Yet, Troubling patterns endure, manifested by unchecked naval buildups, deliberate militarization of strategic waters, and the pursuit of regional influence through muscle flexing and coercive posturing. In some quarters, the seas are seen not as shared domain, but as a stage for asserting primacy. This mindset is laid bare in the orchestrated exclusion of certain states from maritime cooperation arrangements, undermining inclusivity, corroding trust, and destabilizing the balance of the seas. Mr. President, attempts to dominate maritime spaces or marginalize coastal states must be rejected. because they are counterproductive. Oceans must remain zones of peace, prosperity, and inclusive development. Attacks on commercial shipping undermine maritime security and global trade. We condemn such acts, including the recent Red Sea incidents, and we support the Secretary-General's call for restraint and protection of navigation routes. Mr. President, Pakistan regards the Arabian Sea as its fifth neighbor, a cornerstone of our economic ambition and strategic horizon. Positioned at the junction of vital sea lanes, Pakistan is uniquely placed to serve as a premier transshipment hub and the primary gateway linking the landlocked heart of Central Asia with the global trading system. Pakistan remains a long-standing and active contributor to international maritime security. Our Navy participates in combined maritime forces, task forces 150 and 151, and conducts regular regional maritime security patrols to ensure safe and secure seas. Pakistan also takes pride regularly hosting the multinational exercise AMAN in Karachi, which is one of the largest naval gatherings in the region. The ninth edition of AMAN, held in February this year, brought together over 60 navies from across the world in a demonstration of unity and shared commitment to cooperative security at sea. This platform fosters interoperability, builds trust, and strengthens collective capacity to address evolving maritime challenges. At the national level, we have enhanced coordination through the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Center, JMICC, while expanding satellite-based monitoring in collaboration with SUPARCO, Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission. Through the integration of AI-driven surveillance and advanced vessel tracking systems, JM ICC has improved response times, facilitated the rescue of more than 1,800 lives, and played a critical role in countering transnational crimes at sea. Looking ahead, we are deploying vessel traffic management information systems across key ports to enhance navigational safety, improve maritime domain awareness, and strengthen our overall maritime security architecture. Mr. President, emerging technologies, AI, satellite monitoring, and analytics are transforming maritime security, but they are also posing certain cyber weaponization and inequality risks. They must be developed responsibly, with equitable access and safeguards. At the same time, climate change is intensifying maritime risks. Pakistan supports embedding the climate-ocean security nexus appropriately into global and inclusive frameworks to enable vulnerable coastal states to adapt and thrive. Mr. President, as we have heard around the table, maritime security is integral to global peace and stability. We must reject any attempts to turn the seas into arenas of strategic rivalry, and should instead reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism, inclusivity, and cooperation. In this regard, Pakistan proposes the following: First, enhance the capacity of developing countries through targeted technology transfer, maritime domain awareness tools, and joint training programs. Second, establish a global early warning and rapid response mechanism to address piracy, trafficking, illegal fishing, and maritime accidents in real time. Third, adopt a collaborative approach to emerging maritime technologies, including AI and autonomous systems, to avoid turning the seas into an arena of conflict, while ensuring that their development aligns with international law and ongoing global processes. Fourth, foster regional dialogue and trust-building deter hegemonic designs and preserve open sea lanes vital to global trade. And fifth, integrate climate resilience and disaster response capabilities into maritime security strategies, protecting coastal communities and safeguarding sea-based trade. Mr. President, the oceans connect us all. Pakistan stands ready to work with all countries to safeguard the maritime domain, uphold international law, and ensure our oceans remain open, peaceful, and shared for the benefit of all humankind. I thank you.

JazakAllah.

I thank the representative of Pakistan. I now give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom.

Thank you, President José Raúl Mulino, for convening this important meeting during Panama’s presidency of this Council. I also thank all the briefers for their insightful presentations. The United Kingdom commends Panama’s leadership in upholding international maritime standards through its work to remove ships from its registry that fall short of international regulations. We further recognise the strategic importance of the Panama Canal to maritime security and flows in international trade. As a fellow maritime nation, the UK emphasises the importance of keeping trade routes open and secure. They are vital to our shared economic prosperity. We reaffirm our commitment to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the legal framework for all activities in the ocean and seas. But we note with deep concern that the rule of law and the safety of our sea lanes is being eroded. This includes reckless Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which the United Kingdom unequivocally condemns. We call for the immediate cessation of such attacks and full respect for freedom of navigation. As we have heard from the briefers, other illicit activities including illegal fishing, smuggling, and illegal migration, pose further threats to maritime security. The UK is implementing programmes to target organised crime groups and disrupt such activities taking place across maritime routes and seaways. We are also supporting capacity building and the strengthening of governance at seaports. Tackling these challenges means working with international partners across all regions. This includes collaboration through the IMO as a preeminent global forum for maritime issues. For our part, the UK's leading efforts together with the IMO, member states, and industry to develop a maritime cyber code to enhance the resilience of ports, ships, and the digital ecosystem. President, collective action is vital to secure the safety of our seas for future generations. The UK stands ready to work with all member states in support of this shared objective. And I thank you.

Gracias.

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

Thank you, Mr. President. President Mulino, we thank you for your presence today, for your call to action, and for Panama’s commitment to keeping maritime security where it belongs, high on the agenda. Let me also thank our briefers for their varied and insightful remarks. Each of your organizations plays a vital role in maintaining peace and security at sea. Mr. President, allow me to make four key points. First, maritime security begins with legal clarity. Respect for international law must remain our compass, also at sea. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is the legal framework within which all activities in the ocean and seas must be carried out. It must be respected, defended, and implemented. It is only by upholding international law and our collective commitment to multilateralism that we can address the maritime security challenges we face. The Security Council also has a role to play. From the prevention of sanctions evasion to the illicit transportation of critical resources, this body continues to contribute to a peaceful maritime environment. However, resolutions will simply remain words on paper if they are not translated into action. All UN Member States must implement and uphold them. Unfortunately, unilateral actions continue to challenge the international legal order with ongoing threats to freedom of navigation. This is most notable in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Guinea, where Denmark has been engaging in national as well as coordinated multinational efforts to respond to piracy and other attacks on civilian commercial vessels. We do so with a clear goal: ensuring freedom of navigation for all. Second, Mr. President, maritime security can only be addressed through a comprehensive and cooperative approach. Addressing piracy or illicit trafficking alone is not enough. Where states lack the capacity to monitor or govern their maritime space, malicious actors unfortunately often move in. That is why Denmark supports approaches that link security to long-term capacity building and development. National ownership, regional coordination, and international support must go hand in hand. As today’s briefers highlighted, drug traffickers abuse the freedom of navigation to wreak havoc in source, transit, and destination countries. A transnational response is needed to the rise in maritime drug trafficking and organized criminal networks operating on the high seas. Third, Mr. President, we must respond to the growing complexity of maritime threats. There are new vectors of instability: attacks on critical undersea infrastructure, false flag registries, environmental degradation, and the emergence of shadow fleets operating with impunity. Denmark is particularly concerned by the shadow fleet operating in the Baltic Sea. The increasing reliance on old, poorly maintained, and insufficiently insured vessels pose a great risk to seafarers, to maritime safety and security, the integrity of seaborne trade, and the environment. These vessels are often sailing with their transponders off to evade sanctions, including UN sanctions. Shadow fleets operate in the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean, the Straits of Malacca, Singapore, and elsewhere. The rules of the sea are being deliberately tested and undermined. An international solution is needed. Denmark supports greater transparency, including improved vessel tracking, registry integrity, and industry cooperation to close regulatory loopholes. Mr. President, protecting critical undersea infrastructure is vital for the functioning of our interconnected societies. Attacks on such infrastructure are deplorable and must be prevented. Coastal states' capacities to monitor and respond to maritime threats above and below the surface, need to be enhanced. As the destruction of the submarine cables and pipelines is often caused by flagless vessels, restricting their freedom of navigation would enhance maritime security. I take note of the comments by the representative of the Russian Federation on the Nord Stream sabotage in this regard, and I want to underline that Denmark takes the sabotage against the Nord Stream pipelines seriously. and have, together with Germany and Sweden, kept the Security Council thoroughly informed throughout the investigation process. We have done so through numerous notes throughout 2022, 2023, and 2024. Denmark has had close cooperation with relevant foreign authorities, especially concerning the technical aspects of the investigation. The Russian authorities have been informed continuously about the progress of our investigations. Fourth and finally, Mr. President, we need a stronger, more coordinated global response to critical maritime security challenges. Today’s debate continues recent efforts to include the Security Council in considerations of new UN mechanisms to enhance peace and security in the maritime domain. We welcome these efforts, and we support a strengthened UN role in this regard. A strong collective response to maritime threats is in all of our interest. It is a critical ingredient to building peace and security, to promoting economic prosperity, rule of law, and sustainable development for all. I thank you.

Thank you very much. Madam Ambassador Denmark, we now I invite to the floor the representative of the United States of America.

Thank you, President Molino, for convening this important debate today. I would also like to thank Secretary General Dominguez, CEO Vázquez Morales, and Secretary General Urquiza for your briefings today. The Panama Canal is one of the world's great instruments of commerce and economic security. It remains an historic engineering achievement, built at great cost by the United States and upheld by the United States security guarantees. The United States and Panama have been strong partners on maritime security. We support Panama’s increasing vigilance in responding to malicious maritime cyber activities. The United States, however, remains concerned about China’s outsized influence over the Panama Canal area, especially over critical infrastructure and port operations. China’s expansive and unlawful maritime claims and aggressive actions demonstrate its threat to maritime security and commerce. The United States rejects such claims and stands with claimants in the face of China’s provocative actions and intimidation. China’s influence in the canal area is not just a risk to Panama and the United States, but rather a potential threat to global trade and security. Mr. President, Iran also poses a threat to maritime security through its support for the Houthis and other terrorist groups and its seizure of vessels transiting international waters. The United States calls for Iran to release the vessels it still holds, including the MSC Aries. We remind Member States of their obligation to implement the UN embargo on the transfer of arms and related materiel to the Houthis. Iran and other countries continue to violate this embargo, providing the Houthis with the rockets and munitions, as well as the components and chemicals they use to rain attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Just last month, the Houthis attacked and sank two commercial vessels, resulting in loss of life, injury to sailors, and the capture of hostages. We condemn these attacks and call for the immediate release of all crew members. Mr. President, this Council must impose meaningful consequences for sanctions violations and seek additional ways to cut off the international funding and resources fueling the Houthi weapons programs. The United States has overwhelmingly borne the costs of defending freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. There must be more burden-sharing in this effort, including financial support for the UN verification and inspection mechanism that is critical in enforcing the UN arms embargo. Mr. President, maritime sanctions are fundamental to the efforts of the Security Council to limit the flow of international funding and resources to the illicit DPRK nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Several months ago, independent researchers from the Open Source Center presented conclusive photographic evidence of commercial shipping transfers of coal and iron ore from the DPRK to other member states in violation of UN sanctions. The United States is working with our partners to ensure that six vessels involved in those transfers are designated in the 1718 Committee. We urge all members of this Council to swiftly support those designations. Mr. President, turning to best practices, the United States recognizes Interpol’s efforts to improve real-time screening of illicit international travel and technological exchange between coastal authorities and regional organizations. The International Maritime Organization recently agreed to develop a cybersecurity code that will provide specific measures for ships and ports to counter cybersecurity threats. In addition, the IMO has taken steps to address shadow fleets that traffic oil and other sanctioned products and is developing measures to address the related problem of fraudulent ship registries. The Registry Information Sharing Compact, RISC, is another initiative that has quickly become an essential best practice in the maritime sector, providing flag states with unprecedented transparency and compliance assistance in combating registry hopping by vessels and shipping companies seeking to evade sanctions and other maritime regulations. We commend Panama, as well as the flag registries of Liberia and the Marshall Islands, for kickstarting the RISC initiative, and we strongly support the expansion of its membership and collaborative work. Mr. President, once again, the United States thanks Panama for this initiative and looks forward to continued engagement on efforts to counter emerging challenges to maritime security. I thank you.

Muchas gracias.

I thank the representative of the United States, and I give the floor to the representative of Somalia.

Mr. President, allow me to begin by expressing our sincere appreciation to the Panamanian presidency for convening this important and timely high-level debate. We also extend a warm welcome to you, Excellency Mr. José Raúl Moreno, President of the Republic of Panama, for chairing this session, underscoring the profound importance and the urgency with which international community views the challenges to global maritime security. I also thank Mr. Dominguez, IMO Secretary General, Mr. Morales, CEO of Panama Canal Authority, and Mr. Oureques, Secretary General of INTERPOL, for their contribution, which highlights the multifaceted nature of the challenges at hand and the necessity for comprehensive, integrated solutions. For Somalia, and indeed for the entire African continent, the security and sustainable management of our maritime domain are matters of deep significance. Somalia stands as a nation possessing one of the longest coastlines along the mainland of Africa. The security of the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea are especially vital, not just for my country and our neighbors, but for the entire global community. These waters are essential arteries of international commerce, connecting continents and carrying a significant share of the Wall Strait. Any threat to their stability has direct repercussions for global supply chains, economic growth, and international peace. In that regard, I would like to make the following three points. First, capacity building and technology transfer are paramount. It's widely recognized that efforts to address maritime threats are most effective when coastal states possess necessary capacities and capabilities, since they have the primary responsibility. It is essential that such cooperation continues to be strengthened while fully respecting the sovereignty and the leadership of coastal states. Many countries, particularly in Africa, continue to require sustained support to strengthen maritime law enforcement, surveillance, and judicial processes. We underscored the importance of tailored training, access to advanced technologies, and investment in human and institutional resources. The African Union's 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy and the Lomé Charter clearly articulate such priorities, serving as important roadmaps for national and regional resilience. Second, We believe effective maritime security requires coordinated and holistic approach to address the root causes. It's imperative to recognize that maritime security is closely linked to sustainable development on land. Poverty and unemployment often serve as significant drivers pushing individuals, in particular the youth, towards criminal activities at sea. Coastal states continue to face an evolving area of risks and threats to maritime security. Among these, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing stands out as particularly significant and devastating impact on coastal communities, and is also considered as one of the root causes of sea piracy. This transnational crime not only depletes vital marine resources, but also causes severe degradation and lasting, often irreversible damage to crucial ocean ecosystems. The pervasive nature of the IUU fishing exemplifies how environmental transgressions can directly translate into economic, international instability, and security vulnerabilities for, in particular, for ocean-dependent nations. Africa Union's Blue Economy Initiative, which aims to foster sustainable livelihoods and responsible stewardship of marine resources, represents a critical avenue for addressing the underlying drivers of maritime insecurity. We encourage greater international support for these initiatives which are vital for ensuring long-term stability in sea and on land. Third, upholding international law remains fundamental. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other relevant instruments provide the legal foundation for the peaceful and cooperative use of our oceans. Respect for these obligations and for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states is essential for building trust and ensuring effective action. Somalia attaches great importance to the full and effective implementation of these frameworks and encourages continued international assistance for States working to develop and align national legislations accordingly. To conclude, Mr. President, My delegation reaffirms its commitment to working constructively with Security Council and the wider international community to realize the vision of safe, secure, and prosperous sea for all. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Somalia for that statement, and I now give the floor to the Ambassador of Greece.

Thank you, Mr. President. At the outset, allow me to commend Panama for convening this timely and important meeting, and to congratulate you, Your Excellency, President Mulino, for leading today's debate on maritime security, a cornerstone of the modern interconnected world, and a matter of high priority for both our countries. I also thank Secretary General of IMO, Mr. Dominguez, Mr. Vasquez Morales, CEO of the Panama Canal Authority, and Secretary General of Interpol, Mr. Urquiza, for their insightful contributions. Mr. President, threats to maritime security are multiplying. In addition to traditional threats, piracy, maritime terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, marine pollution, drug trafficking, and migrant smuggling, we now face emerging challenges such as hybrid threats and attacks on critical maritime infrastructure. These attacks violate freedom of navigation, disrupt global supply chains, jeopardize food and energy security, and endanger the lives of seafarers. As a global player in international shipping, Greece is particularly affected by maritime security threats. In the beginning of July, the bloody attacks on the Greek-owned 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. Addressing these challenges requires robust international cooperation and the coordination of national, regional, and multilateral efforts. A secure maritime domain is essential not only for blue growth and energy security, but also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and upholding international law. In this respect, I wish to highlight four points. First, as reaffirmed during the open debate on maritime security convened by Greece in May, comprehensive strategies are essential to address maritime threats effectively. This includes reinforced coordination at all levels, international, regional, and national, with active partnerships involving the private sector. Such cooperation must strengthen the resilience of global supply chains and critical infrastructure, including pipelines and submarine cables. Given the significant threat posed by human trafficking and migrant smuggling, including in the Mediterranean, where massive migratory flows are detected, International cooperation must address migration challenges in full respect of international law. It should also target illicit maritime activities, unsafe shipping practices, and some substandard vessels that threaten both safety and the marine environment. Second, innovation is key. Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, can greatly enhance maritime security by improving monitoring, information sharing, and operational coordination, provided they are applied in full compliance with international law. Third, capacity building remains critical. Greece supports efforts by states and international organizations to strengthen law enforcement, promote safe and resilient ports, and address cybersecurity risks through the development of digital skills. Greece is actively engaged in the work of the IMO, contributing to the development of rules and standards and to improving capabilities to counter maritime security risks. The European Union, as a global security provider, is implementing its maritime security strategy through concrete actions. Greece participates in EU naval operations at Alanda in the northwest Indian Ocean, Aspides in the Red Sea, and Tyrhene in the Mediterranean, all aimed at enhancing maritime security. Moreover, climate change and environmental degradation also carry serious security implications for the maritime domain, requiring urgent international attention. Finally, Compliance with existing legal frameworks is paramount. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, remains the cornerstone of international maritime governance. Its central and universal role was reaffirmed during our May debate, underscoring that UNCLOS provides the comprehensive framework for addressing both traditional and emerging threats. In conclusion, Mr. President, Greece supports a strengthened role for the United Nations in addressing maritime security challenges. We see a clear need for more structured, coordinated, and sustained UN engagement to counter these threats effectively. Maritime security will remain a priority for my delegation during our term on the Security Council. We are committed to keeping it high on the Council’s agenda, and working with all partners to prevent and respond to threats, thereby maintaining international peace and security. I thank you. Muchas gracias.

I thank the Ambassador of Greece for that statement. I now give the floor to the Ambassador of China for a further statement.

Thank you, President. With regard to the statement by the U.S. representative, I would like to respond. In recent times, the U.S. delegation has repeatedly used various issues to make unwarranted accusations against and smear China. We firmly oppose this. Here, I would like to re-emphasize that regarding the Panama Canal, China has always respected Panama's sovereignty over the canal and recognizes the permanent neutrality of the canal as an international waterway. The United States' fabrication of lies and groundless attacks against China are nothing but a pretext for seeking control over the canal. China firmly opposes economic coercion and bullying practices, and urges the United States to stop fabricating rumors, lies, and creating trouble. I would also like to point out that it is the U.S. that is the biggest disrupter of peace and stability in the South China Sea. The U.S. has deployed offensive weaponry in the region, including land-based intermediate-range missiles. has repeatedly dispatched large-scale naval and air forces to conduct reconnaissance and military exercises in the South China Sea, and has sought to flex its military muscles and run amok at the very doorstep of other states with a clear objective of creating instability in the region to advance its own geopolitical agenda. I also would like to point out that the U.S. hegemony, Cold War mentality, and unilateral actions are gravely exacerbating risks to global maritime security. The United States has yet to accede to UNCLOS and refuses to fulfill the obligations thereunder. It disregards international law and the warnings of the ISA by unilaterally deciding to exploit international seabed resources, thereby appropriating the common heritage of humanity. It has openly threatened the normal operation of the canal, of the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal, and has wantonly challenged the sovereignty of other states. It has securitized maritime issues, obstructed the development of maritime infrastructure, and undermined the stability of industrial and supply chains. We call on the United States We urge the United States to pursue some serious soul-searching and to assume in good faith the responsibilities as a major power. Thank you, Mr. President.

Gracias.

I thank the Ambassador of China. Since you've mentioned my country and the canal, I simply wanted to stress that the neutrality, as I said in my statement, neutrality is the only and the best defense of our canal to any threat, be it specific or global in nature. Of course, the sovereign exercise by our country in terms of the ownership of the canal, the administration of the canal, is overseen by a multilateral treaty, which is currently in force. So as president of Panama, I would like to make it clear make this clear so there are not any misunderstandings through my lack of clarification. I’d now like to give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Tanmay Lal, Secretary West at the Ministry for External Affairs of the Government of India.

Thank you, Mr. President. We congratulate the Republic of Panama for holding the presidency of the UN Security Council for this month, and we would like to thank you, Your Excellency, President Mulino, for hosting and presiding over this important debate. This discussion builds upon the debates hosted by Greece in May and by India during our Security Council presidency in 2021. Maritime security is our collective challenge and demands international collaboration. Given the critical importance of the sea routes for global trade, energy supplies, communication cables, traditional and non-traditional threats, and our own long-standing maritime tradition, India, as one of the world's largest economies, has strong stakes and interest in this subject. India's maritime trading tradition goes back millennia. Ancient Indian port cities such as Dholavira, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Lothal, were trading with distant lands via the maritime route 5,000 years ago. Indians have traded to their east and west with Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, and beyond, across the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. Cultural exchange and diaspora traveled on ocean waves. Today, India, with a coastline of more than 11,000 kilometers and nearly 1,300 offshore islands and islets, has an exclusive economic zone spread over nearly 2.3 million square kilometers. India shares maritime boundaries with seven nations. There are 12 major ports, 200 smaller ports, and nearly 30 shipyards on the Indian coast, continuing the long-standing shipbuilding tradition. India is also the third largest supplier of seafarers to the global maritime industry. A large section of our population resides close to the coasts, and millions of Indians derive their livelihood from the ocean economy. The scale of maritime safety and security challenges, as also the urgent importance of economic stability and environmental sustainability concerns for India, therefore, is huge. The twin interlinked concerns of security and prosperity provide the basis for India's vision for maritime security, the Mahasagar, which is the Hindi word for ocean, which was elaborated by Prime Minister Modi as mutual and holistic advancement for security and growth across regions. India's approach to maritime security draws upon the following five principles: removal of barriers from legitimate maritime trade, peaceful settlement of disputes as per international law, jointly addressing natural disasters and threats from non-traditional actors, preservation of maritime environment and resources, encouraging responsible maritime connectivity. Recognizing the collective nature of the challenges and the required joint response, we engage with our partners, especially from the Global South, in several ways. And these are joint patrolling for their EEZ surveillance, supplementing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief measures, conducting search and rescue and evacuation operations in various emergencies, including oil spills and fires, assisting anti-drug trafficking and anti-piracy operations, where we have worked with a range of partners, conducting hydrographic surveys to facilitate navigation safety. The Indian Navy, in addition to its role as a net security provider, is also active in the Indo-Pacific region, assisting with security and HADR operations, and is among the first responders in the region. India is a founding member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, IORA, and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, IONS, and is an observer at the Indian Ocean Commission. We also engage with a range of partners at other formats, such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct, DCOC, the Contact Group on Illicit Maritime Activities, and the BIMSTEC. Operational coordination is achieved through joint exercises and coordinated patrols, Africa-India key maritime engagement, ASEAN-India maritime exercises, the Exercise Milan hosted by India, IONS Chiefs Conclave, and the Exercise Malabar. India and the European Union have conducted joint naval activities in the Gulf of Guinea to reinforce maritime security. In a unique initiative, an Indian naval ship recently served as an Indian Ocean ship, Sagar, which sailed with nearly 50 crew from nine partner countries from the Indian Ocean region, undertaking joint maritime security activities. India's Information Fusion Center for the Indian Ocean Region focuses on enhancing maritime domain awareness and coordination through information sharing and cooperation with partners. It has been included as a voluntary reporting center in the best management practices by the IMO. IFCIOR hosts liaison officers from 14 partner nations. An AI-powered digital platform called the eSamudra will be launched later this year for real-time monitoring and smarter decision-making to enable more efficient and transparent maritime governance. Last month, India launched Samudra Prashid, its indigenously built pollution control vehicle, highlighting our commitment to maritime environmental protection and sustainable practices. India's ongoing work on a deep ocean mission will contribute to understanding of deep sea ecosystems, contributing to sustainable fisheries and biodiversity conservation. India remains committed to promote a free, open, and rules-based maritime order in accordance with the principles of UNCLOS. Genuine international cooperation is needed to meet the collective challenges to maritime security and prosperity. As a responsible maritime power, India stands ready to continue to contribute to these joint efforts.

Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the Vice Minister. I now give the floor to the representative of Indonesia.

Thank you, Mr. President. Indonesia commends the Republic of Panama for convening this important debate and warmly welcomes His Excellency President José Raúl Mulino. We also thank the briefers for their valuable insights. Since time immemorial, the oceans have been humanity's lifeline, connecting nations, powering economies, and sustaining livelihood. Yet today, the maritime domain is increasingly under siege, with threats ranging from transnational crimes to environmental degradation. and heightened geostrategic rivalries, business as usual is no longer an option. It is in this context that Indonesia wishes to underscore three key calls to action. First, recommit to the rule of law as our anchor. International law, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, is the foundation of order and peaceful conduct of all parties at sea. It is our collective safeguard against disorder that could pose threats to international peace and security. We call upon all Council members to reaffirm their pledge to uphold UNCLOS. This means resolutely rejecting all unilateral actions that undermine its authority, not just in principle, but in practice. Second, cultivate the spirit of cooperation at sea. Preventing our oceans from becoming arenas of strategic rivalry and possible entry points for conflicts requires a fundamental mindset change. The sea must serve as bridges for dialogue, not frontlines for power projection. Regional frameworks such as the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific offer a clear path towards preventive diplomacy to ensure that our oceans serve as zones of peace and collaboration, not confrontation, by promoting areas of cooperation, fostering coordination, delivering collective responses to transboundary challenges, and reinforcing international law. We therefore urge all Member States, particularly members of the Council, to champion this change of mindset by fully aligning maritime engagement with the principles of mutual trust, transparency, and self-restraint. Third, strengthen inclusive maritime governance. Maritime security is not just about deterring threats. It is about building resilience based upon building trust. Technology and innovation are a critical enabler of resilience, trust-building, and mutual progress. Partnership in such areas as satellite-based revelations to artificial intelligence can enhance monitoring, improve early warning, facilitate joint efforts in addressing transnational organized crimes, and support sustainable ocean management. This, in turn, serves as a powerful tool to prevent conflicts. We thus encourage greater international cooperation to promote innovation in ways that empower all nations particularly developing countries, to build better their resilience in addressing emerging challenges. Mr. President, Indonesia stands ready to navigate forward with all partners toward ensuring peaceful, sustainable, just, and resilient oceans for humanity. Thank you.

Thank you very much to the delegation of Indonesia. And we now give the floor to the representative of Egypt.

Thank you, Mr. President. At the outset, I would like to congratulate you on Panama’s accession to the presidency of the Council this month. We are aware of the importance of this matter for Panama, particularly for the Panama Canal. And we know that this issue is also of importance to different other countries. So we thank you once again for choosing this detailed theme, particularly in light of the fact that the world is facing challenges in the maritime and maritime security. The world is continuing to face challenges due to the proliferation of crises and the conduct of certain powers acting as though they are above the law. This is impacting international peace and security, and does so to the detriment of maritime traffic and waterways. It affects everyone around the world and their interests. We must ensure respect for treaty-based and customary principles of international law, particularly UNCLOS, since it is the constitution of the oceans and the seas. It is a safeguard for maritime security. We should therefore ensure the respect for this convention, particularly in terms of maritime freedom and the delimitation of maritime boundaries. We believe that maritime security is a global public good for the entire world, which guarantees economic stability and sustainable development around the world. I’d like to highlight the following points: The Security Council must ensure full adherence with international law and its resolutions, as well as all conventions governing this matter. This will guarantee freedom of navigation without politicization. Second, we must promote international and regional coordination mechanisms, promote capacity building, and public-private partnerships. This in order to ensure that we can address different challenges, such as piracy, armed robbery, drugs trafficking, arms trafficking, human trafficking, illegal fishing, marine pollution, and the exploitation of waterways to circumvent sanctions, cyberattacks, and other criminal activities. investing in surveillance, monitoring, and tracking technologies to prevent maritime crimes, as well as to address other challenges related to climate change. These worsen the threats to peace – the peace – threats to maritime security. We must protect technology, particularly for developing countries and to ensure international peace and security. Four, we should address the root causes of crises, taking into account the nature, history, and realities of each geographical region, so as to settle conflicts in a just and irreversible manner. The ordeal in the Middle East is ongoing, particularly with regard to the Red Sea insecurity following the inhumane Israeli war on Gaza. And the maritime corridors have been used by non-state actors sapping the freedom of navigation and supply chains. All of this has further undermine the Palestinian cause. This is an unjustified, illogical war. Navigation in the Suez Canal has further been affected, causing losses amounting to around $7 billion in 2024. However, Egypt has maintained the Suez Canal’s vital role. We have made efforts to ensure de-escalation in our region, and we’d like to stress two points. First, any initiatives relating to maritime security and development in the Red Sea must be implemented in close consultation with coastal states, since they are those that are best positioned to understand the region's dynamics. Second, Restoring safe navigation in the Red Sea is important and crucial for the region. It would involve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, the release of hostages and detainees, and the end of occupation and displacement, as well as the end of the use of Palestinian lives as currency. We must ensure respect for the sovereignty of Red Sea countries. To conclude, we support all sincere efforts aimed at safeguarding vital maritime security and the primacy of international law. We must ensure that we maintain free maritime routes. Egypt, as a responsible member of the international community, will promote cooperation and stability for all. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Egypt, and I now give the floor to the representative of the Philippines.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Philippines congratulate Panama for assuming the presidency of the Council. We are honored by your presence, and thanks our briefers for their insights. As an archipelagic state and a maritime nation, the Philippines considers maritime security as a top national policy priority. We understand maritime security as a cross-cutting concern and an integral element of the UN peace and security architecture. We hope that this open debate, like the one led by Greece in May, will pave the way not only for enhancing international cooperation on maritime security, but also through examining efforts to address security risks with high impact on people. Our concept of maritime security has always underscored the nexus between maritime security and marine environment protection, encompassing not only transnational crimes, constructive management of situation at sea, upholding international law, particularly UNCLOS, but also IUU fishing, marine pollution, biodiversity loss, climate change, and other emerging and developing threats. At whom we strengthen national frameworks and cooperation. In our region, we partner with other states to combat transnational crimes in the maritime domain, including through a trilateral arrangement with neighbors. We close criminal corridors, fight piracy, build capacities, share intelligence, and counter terrorist travel. We take part in the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia, and are honored that the Philippines has been re-elected as chairperson of its Information Sharing Center Governing Council. Through joint exercises and cooperation, we reinforce capacity and response, including in maritime domain awareness, and contribute to regional stability. As the world's leading supplier of seafarers, we champion human rights at sea, in cooperation with all stakeholders. Seafarers must be aware of their right to refuse to sail in dangerous areas. We ensure protection of our seafarers' welfare and assist them in distress. But security at sea cannot be separated from the health of the sea. Environmental challenges fuel instability. Geopolitical tensions exacerbate environmental harm, including in implementing legal frameworks for sustainable use and conservation. Rule of law remains the firm foundation to address these challenges. The UNCLOS is the constitution of the oceans. The BBNJ agreement is essential for the ocean, vital in protecting and managing resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction that border us in the South China Sea and in the Pacific. We recognize the synergies between UNCLOS and multilateral environmental agreements on issues within the ocean, climate, biodiversity nexus. We welcome the advisory opinion of both the ITLOS and the ICJ on climate change. Mr. President, Maritime security concerns are most deeply felt by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea and in the South China Sea. We recognize the significance of the South China Sea in international trade, similar to the Panama Canal, which is vital to global maritime commerce. We aspire for the South China Sea to be a sea of peace, security, stability, and prosperity. This is of fundamental interest to the international community. Regrettably, incidents that infringe on our rights and entitlements continue to occur in the South China Sea. We take part in the negotiations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea. We will not waver in advocating for adherence to international law, particularly the UN Charter, as amplified by the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes. and by the UNCLOS, as clarified by the final and binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award. We will continue to pursue effective diplomacy, leverage alliances, partnerships, and multilateralism, and build up domestic capabilities in securing our maritime domain. Maritime security is our shared responsibility and must be addressed comprehensively across the United Nations system for peace, for stability, and for generations to come. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you to the distinguished representative of the Philippines, and I give the floor to the representative of Croatia.

Thank you, Mr. President. Let me begin by congratulating you on your presidency and thanking you for convening this timely debate. I thank the distinguished briefers for their presentations. Croatia aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the European Union on behalf of its member states. In my national capacity, I would like to emphasize several key priorities. Maritime security is not merely a regional issue; it is a global imperative. While solutions are best pursued regionally, the threats we face transcend borders. As transnational crime escalates and environmental risks intensify, regional actors must be empowered to respond swiftly and collectively through interoperable protocols, joint training, and intelligence sharing platforms. To prevent illicit use of maritime routes, including piracy, we must strengthen cooperation among coastal states, port authorities, and naval forces. Legal frameworks must be enhanced. Real-time communication networks, including vulnerable undersea cables, pose significant risks to security, financial systems, and global connectivity. Targeted surveillance of trafficking corridors is essential to disrupt the logistics of illegal trade. Reinforcing the ISPS Code is critical for robust and harmonized port safety. We must also embrace innovation. Satellite monitoring can trace vessel movements with precision. Artificial intelligence can detect patterns and anticipate threats before they materialize. Unmanned surface vessels and community-based early warning systems can transform maritime security into a proactive and predictive domain. Yet, this is not enough. Greater compliance with maritime law is needed. Straightening the role of the IMO and linking adherence to international frameworks with trade privileges and development support will improve accountability. We must invest in proactive engagement, technical assistance, and capacity building. Real-time risk assessments, multinational rapid response units, and standardized contingency protocols can enhance crisis preparedness. Operational coordination and the exchange of best practices are key to more effective cooperation. Mr. President, securing our oceans also means protecting them. Sustainable ocean governance should balance the promotion of the blue economy with the preservation of fragile marine ecosystems. Ocean-dependent nations require climate-resilient infrastructure and fair access to maritime resources. The recent United Nations Conference on the Ocean has laid strong groundwork on this. As a Mediterranean coastal state, Croatia is deeply concerned by the deterioration of the global maritime order. This is most evident in the recent attacks in the Red Sea, which have disrupted international trade and endangered also Croatian seafarers, as we are one of Europe's leading nations in maritime personnel. Croatia prioritizes dialogue and cooperation, particularly with our southern neighbors. Our joint efforts must address maritime insecurity, irregular migration, and environmental degradation, while fostering synergy between regional and international organizations. I thank you, Mr. President.

Thanks, Madam Representative of Croatia. I give the floor to the representative of Austria.

Mr. President Molino, Excellencies, dear colleagues. Austria sincerely thanks Panama for convening this timely high-level debate and congratulates you on assuming the presidency of the Security Council. We align ourselves with the statement to be delivered by the European Union. Though landlocked, Austria is keenly aware that maritime security is a global concern. Disruptions at sea can reverberate across continents, threatening food and energy security, supply chains, and environmental sustainability. The impacts of illicit maritime crime know no borders. Allow me, therefore, to highlight three points. First, we reaffirm the centrality of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, UNCLOS, as the cornerstone of maritime governance. The erosion of international norms through the evasion of sanctions, illicit trafficking, or unlawful exploitation of marine resources undermines collective security. A rules-based maritime order is our first line of defense against transnational criminal networks. Second, we stress the need to enhance international cooperation in combating illicit maritime activities. Organized crime at sea, including the smuggling of arms, narcotics, and people, is increasingly sophisticated and transnational in nature. Austria supports efforts by the United Nations and regional organizations to improve monitoring, information sharing, and enforcement capacities. We commend the important role of UNODC and Interpol and encourage closer coordination across relevant UN bodies. Maritime insecurity is often rooted in vulnerabilities on land: weak governance, corruption, conflict, and poverty. Addressing maritime crime requires comprehensive and preventive strategies. This includes building institutions, strengthening legal frameworks, and enhancing regional cooperation mechanisms. We welcome innovative approaches, including the responsible use of new technologies, such as satellite monitoring and AI, to detect and disrupt criminal activity. Third, we must take into account the environmental dimension of maritime security. Activities such as illegal fishing and the dumping of toxic waste not only violate international law, but also jeopardize marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions. At the same time, climate change exacerbates existing security risks. Responses to maritime crime must be embedded in broader efforts to protect ocean health and promote sustainable development. Mr. President, Australia's candidacy for the Security Council for the term 2027-2028 is grounded in our commitment to international law, effective multilateralism, and a holistic approach to peace and security. These principles are essential to confronting emerging maritime threats and ensuring the safety and sustainability of our oceans. I thank you.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much to the representative of Austria. And we now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

Mr. President, Brazil congratulates Panama on assuming the Council presidency and for convening this debate on maritime security. I also thank the briefers for their valuable insights. With one of the world's longest coastlines, Brazil's history, economy, and identity are deeply tied to the oceans, guaranteeing a safe, open maritime space with governance based on international law, with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea at its center, is therefore a core national interest. That space, however, faces mounting pressure. Piracy, armed robbery, transnational crime, trafficking in arms and narcotics, and migrant smuggling are converging threats to maritime security, and they are being amplified by the malicious use of new technologies. Coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on the sea suffer the consequences of criminal activities, pollution, and resource depletion. These problems are particularly severe in areas such as the Red Sea, the Gulf of Guinea, and along Haiti's coast, whose maritime security has been compromised by gang violence, arms and drug trafficking, and lack of resources for maritime law enforcement. As we have repeatedly pointed out in this Council, there is a direct relation between peace and economic and social development. Addressing the root causes of maritime crime, investing in productive capacities and combating poverty, hunger, and underdevelopment are as essential to addressing the issue as security considerations. Brazil sees three urgent priorities in this area. First, unwavering respect for international law and the law of the sea. States must meet their obligations under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, most of which are also part of customary international law. Second, practical cooperation and capacity building. Effective maritime domain awareness relies on real-time information sharing interoperable surveillance tools, and the responsible integration of emerging technologies. Brazil is ready to deepen partnerships through the South Atlantic Zone of Peace and Cooperation, ZOPACAS, and through longstanding support to the navies and coast guards of the Gulf of Guinea. Brazil believes that the principles and values enshrined under ZOPACAS, which establishes the South Atlantic as a zone of peace, free of weapons of mass destruction and preserved from foreign geopolitical disputes, send a relevant message to today's world. This message will be reinforced in 2026, when Brazil will host the ninth ministerial meeting to celebrate 40 years of ZOPACA's. We call on all countries, particularly in this Council, to comply with the relevant provisions of the ZOPACA's General Assembly resolutions, thus contributing to the peace, security, and development of the South Atlantic and globally. Third, we need a comprehensive approach that links security to sustainable maritime practices. Protecting critical undersea and port infrastructure, strengthening port resilience, enhancing digital skills, and countering cyber threats are mutually reinforcing steps. Mr. President, oceans governed by law and cooperation are essential for international peace and security and prosperity. Brazil therefore urges all member states to renew their commitments to the Law of the Sea and the cooperative ethos it embodies. Thank you.

I thank the Ambassador of Brazil. There are still a number of speakers remaining on my list for this meeting. I intend, with the concurrence of members of the Council, to suspend this meeting until 3:00 PM. The meeting is suspended.