Global Maritime Security under Threat from ‘Emerging Dangers,’ UN Chief Warns

United Nations: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of rising threats to global maritime transport at a high-level Security Council meeting. Addressing a meeting of the UN Security Council during a debate on maritime issues, the Secretary-General underlined that without maritime security, there can be no global security. He stressed that all facets of life are dependent on maritime security, emphasizing the critical role oceans and seas play in providing oxygen, supporting biodiversity, and bolstering the economy through trade and jobs in maritime industries.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Guterres highlighted the need for developing countries to enhance their capacity to tackle these threats through technological advancement, training, capacity-building, judicial reforms, and modernized naval and maritime security forces. He asserted that respect for international law is fundamental to maritime security, with the UN Charter and the Convention on the Law of the Sea forming the backb
one of the legal framework that balances states’ rights and duties.

Guterres warned that this framework’s effectiveness hinges on states’ commitment to its full and effective implementation. He urged all states to fulfill their obligations and resolve maritime security issues in alignment with the UN Charter. The Secretary-General called for partnerships to strengthen maritime security, emphasizing the involvement of all stakeholders. As maritime security threats become more complex, enhanced coordination and governance are crucial, he noted.

The UN chief pointed out that maritime spaces face pressures from both traditional threats and emerging dangers, including contested boundaries, resource depletion, and geopolitical tensions. He highlighted the worrying trend of increasing piracy and armed robbery incidents, with a significant rise reported in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, according to the International Maritime Organization.

Regions such as Asia, the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden,
Gulf of Guinea, and the Mediterranean face various challenges, ranging from piracy and trafficking to cyber-attacks, which pose a growing threat to ports and shipping companies. Guterres reaffirmed the UN system’s readiness to support the Security Council and member states in ensuring secure maritime spaces, urging action to protect these vital areas and the communities relying on them.