new York, April 27 (Petra) -- The United Nations Security Council held a public session on Monday to address the security of maritime waterways, a meeting organized by the Kingdom of Bahrain, which holds the council presidency for April.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez briefed the council on the escalating threats to international shipping.
Guterres warned that commercial shipping is increasingly being used as a tool for political leverage. He emphasized that the rights and freedoms of navigation, which serve as the fundamental pillars of the Law of the Sea, are being systematically undermined.
The UN chief identified the Strait of Hormuz as one of the world's most vital maritime arteries, noting that its closure has triggered the most severe disruption to global supply chains since the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine.
He cautioned that a prolonged disruption threatens to spark a global food crisis. Such an event could push millions of people, particularly in Africa and South Asia, into hunger and poverty. Guterres reminded the council that the UN Charter's prohibition on the threat or use of force applies fully to international waters.
The Secretary-General stressed the necessity of respecting navigational rights through the Strait of Hormuz, as reaffirmed by Security Council Resolution 2817. He called on all involved parties to reopen the strait to allow the passage of vessels without discriminatory fees or restrictions, asserting that such action is essential for global economic recovery.
The IMO's Dominguez stated that his primary concern remains the safety and welfare of approximately 20,000 innocent seafarers currently stranded in the Gulf region due to the ongoing conflict.
He informed the council that the IMO has begun developing a framework for evacuation operations. This plan utilizes existing traffic separation schemes to safely remove ships and crews from the conflict zone, provided that security conditions allow for such maneuvers.
//Petra// AF
