By Matik Kueth
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, warned that “without maritime security, there can be no global security,” urging concerted action to maintain and secure maritime spaces.
Guterres, who spoke at the UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday during a debate on maritime concerns, stressed that maritime security affects all aspects of life.
“All of humanity depends on the world’s oceans and seas. From the oxygen we breathe to the biodiversity that sustains all life to the economy’s trade and jobs supported by maritime industries,” Guterres stated.
He added, “Today’s debate shines a light on a fundamental fact. Without maritime security, there can be no global security. Let’s take action to support and secure maritime spaces, and the communities and people are counting on them.”
Guterres said marine channels have bonded the world together since time immemorial, emphasizing that they have long been the principal method of trade and transportation for not only people, goods and commodities, but also cultures and ideas.
He noted that maritime spaces are under increasing pressure from both old and emergent challenges.
“From challenges around contested boundaries to the depletion of natural resources at sea to escalating geopolitical tensions, fanning the flames of competition, conflict and crime,” he stressed.
Over the years, he said, the Council has sought to address a range of threats that undermine maritime security and global peace to destroy acts against shipping, offshore installations and critical infrastructure terrorism.
“From piracy, armed robbery, trafficking and organized crime to destructive acts against shipping, offshore installations and critical infrastructure to terrorism in the maritime domain, which poses a significant threat to international security, global trade and economic stability,” he said.
Guterres underlined the need to ensure that oceans and seas continue to thrive while also supporting humanity’s economic, social, cultural, and environmental development for future generations.
“We must help developing countries build their capacity to deal with these threats through technology, training, capacity-building, judicial reforms, and modernized naval forces, marine police units, maritime surveillance and port security,” he emphasized.
The UN chief also stated that the debate highlighted the underlying prerequisites for preserving marine security, implying that all countries must follow the UN Charter and international law as represented in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
He pointed out that the Gulf of Guinea [West Africa] is still plagued with piracy, kidnappings, armed robbery at sea, oil theft, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and drug, weapon, and human trafficking.
However, Guterres reaffirmed the UN system’s commitment to supporting the Council and all Member States in guaranteeing peaceful, safe, and prosperous maritime spaces for future generations.
According to the International Maritime Organization, reported incidents increased by roughly 47.5 percent from the same period in 2024.
Incidents in Asia have increased, particularly in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. The Houthis’ attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have disrupted global trade and raised tensions in an already volatile region.
It stressed that the Gulf of Aden and the Mediterranean Sea continue to be dangerous routes for migrant smuggling, as well as human and arms trafficking.