Global maritime security and the escalating threats to vital sea lanes were central topics during a recent UN Security Council debate. Pakistan emphasized that interruptions to these waterways increasingly jeopardize international trade, energy supplies, and economic stability worldwide.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, articulated the country’s position during the High-Level Open Debate on “The Safety and Protection of Waterways in the Maritime Domain.” He stressed the strategic significance of maritime security for maintaining international peace and fostering development.
Addressing the forum, Ahmad commended the Kingdom of Bahrain for its effective presidency and for organizing the debate, highlighting Bahrain’s commitment to global maritime security, which is vital for both peace and development objectives. He expressed Pakistan’s full support and solidarity with the Gulf countries, affirming respect for their sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence.
The ambassador also acknowledged the contributions of UN leadership and expert briefers, thanking Secretary-General António Guterres for emphasizing respect for international law, dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful dispute resolution. He further appreciated insights provided by Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, and maritime expert Nick Childs.
Expanding on the broader strategic context, Ahmad described global maritime spaces as a defining arena of 21st-century geopolitics. He noted that these waters serve as the lifeblood of global commerce, indicators of environmental health, and reservoirs of marine biological and mineral resources. With economic globalization and advances in transportation, sea-borne trade has become more crucial than ever.
He warned that any disruption to maritime traffic severely impacts international trade, triggering economic instability and threatening global peace and security. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz exemplifies this, with cascading effects on food and energy security and supply chains. Prolonged crises in this region could lead to rising prices for oil, gas, and essential commodities like fertilizers, subsequently affecting inflation, economic growth, and balance of payments—especially harming developing nations.
Ahmad underscored that these developments test the resilience of global governance structures and strategic stability, particularly regarding the safety and openness of maritime routes. As a littoral state in the Indian Ocean Region, Pakistan is acutely aware of these risks due to its proximity to key maritime chokepoints and heavy reliance on sea trade.
He expressed Pakistan’s concern over the Strait of Hormuz’s closure and highlighted the country’s diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions. Supported by allies such as China, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt, Pakistan has led constructive initiatives aimed at de-escalating conflicts and promoting stability between the United States and Iran. The ambassador reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to diplomacy and dialogue as essential tools for peace.
Ahmad also broadened the concept of maritime security beyond trade and piracy, emphasizing challenges like climate change, environmental protection, safeguarding critical coastal and underwater digital infrastructure, and upholding human rights at sea. Addressing these issues requires collective, coordinated action grounded in international law, dialogue, and diplomacy.
He highlighted the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a foundational pillar of the international maritime order since its adoption. Pakistan has actively contributed to maritime security efforts, having recently commanded Combined Task Force 150 to protect commercial shipping outside the Arabian Gulf and previously led Combined Task Force 151 to combat piracy and ensure free maritime trade. Additionally, Pakistan has initiated Regional Maritime Security Patrols to maintain safe and secure seas.
Ahmad warned that the global governance system is increasingly strained, with international waterways not immune to these pressures. He noted that established rules and norms designed to prevent conflicts are being challenged or disregarded, a situation that threatens international peace, security, and development. Prolonged disregard for these norms risks eroding trust in the rules-based global order.
Concluding his address, the ambassador called for collective responsibility and sustained diplomatic engagement. He affirmed Pakistan’s dedication to working with the UN Secretary-General, the Security Council, and like-minded nations to preserve hard-won gains in peace and stability amidst rising global tensions. He described this mission as a historic trust that must not fail, emphasizing the necessity of succeeding together.
