The Sultanate of Oman has affirmed its full support for the efforts of the UN Security Council and international initiatives aimed at addressing maritime challenges and threats, calling for enhanced regional and international cooperation and sustained coordination to uphold navigation safety and maritime security.

This came during Oman’s address delivered by First Secretary HH Sayyid Shihab bin Harib Al Said, member of Oman’s Permanent Delegation to the United Nations in New York, at the Security Council’s high-level session titled “Maritime Security: Prevention, Innovation, and International Cooperation to Address Emerging Challenges.”

The session was held as part of discussions on the agenda item “Maintenance of International Peace and Security.”

Oman emphasized the importance it places on maritime security, given its natural resources, geographical factors, and its strategic location overlooking the Strait of Hormuz - a vital passage for international trade, maritime navigation, and global seaborne oil exports, Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.

Oman’s statement highlighted national efforts to enhance maritime navigation safety and security, including initiatives that led to a ceasefire agreement between the United States of America and the relevant authorities in Sana’a, Yemen, ensuring freedom of navigation and the uninterrupted flow of international commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Securing the world’s seas requires united global action, robust national capacity and the responsible use of technology, the Security Council heard last week during an all-day open debate on evolving maritime threats and innovative approaches to address them. 

Over 70 speakers addressed the 15-member organ during the 2-day meeting, the UN Security Council’s portal said in a press statement.

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), called maritime security “one of the great enablers of the global economy”, noting the sector’s resilience in moving over 12 billion tons of goods in 2024 with just 1.9 million seafarers and despite geopolitical tensions. 

“The safety and security of the maritime sector is fundamental to economic stability, sustainable maritime development and livelihoods,” he underscored, pointing out that in 2024 alone, nearly 150 incidents of piracy and armed robbery were reported.  Security threats go beyond piracy, he added, noting that the shipping industry continues to face trafficking and fraudulent activity.

Valdecy Urquiza, Secretary General of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), reported that traditional maritime threats, like piracy and armed robbery, are surging in some regions. 

“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,” he warned.  Moreover, a growing crime-terror nexus at sea is emerging, as groups exploit criminal supply chains to move weapons, operatives and illicit goods to finance their activities.

In the ensuing debate, Member States echoed their concerns about the wide-ranging maritime threats and urged coordinated global action.

Algeria’s representative urged the creation of a “dedicated UN mechanism focused especially on maritime security”, which could help coordinate rapid responses, facilitate information sharing and improve cooperation among relevant actors.  He also pointed to the “special potential” offered by satellite monitoring, AI and big data to “improve early detection and support real-time responses to suspicious maritime activity”.

Throughout the debate, delegates underscored the vital importance of cooperation among Member States and regional and multilateral organizations and highlighted their efforts to that end. The representative of the European Union (EU), in its capacity as observer, underlined the bloc’s contributions to maritime security:  “EU Naval Force Atalanta fights piracy in the Western Indian Ocean, EU Naval Force Aspides protects merchant vessels in the Red Sea and EU Naval Force Irini helps enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya.”