‘Criminal Networks Exploiting Every Gap between Jurisdictions, Every Weakness in Our Cooperation’, Warns Head of International Criminal Police Organization
Securing the world’s seas requires united global action, robust national capacity and the responsible use of technology, the Security Council heard today during an all-day open debate on evolving maritime threats and innovative approaches to address them. Over 70 speakers are expected to address the 15-member organ during the meeting, which is scheduled to resume tomorrow.
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 tonnes 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.
The international community’s collective response must be rooted in prevention, constant vigilance, innovation, and continuous strengthening of regional and international cooperation, he said. The IMO has developed binding mandatory requirements including the 2005 revised Protocols for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts at Sea, as well as measures to address cybersecurity threats within mandatory safety management systems. He detailed IMO’s efforts to build regional and national capacity and stressed that maritime safety and security and environmental sustainability “go hand in hand”. Geopolitical tensions disrupt shipping, as well as lives, he added, urging Member States continued commitment to safe navigation.
Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, Chief Executive Officer of the Panama Canal Authority, said the Canal is much more than a commercial route. It has served as “a bridge between nations, a model of functional neutrality and a reminder that the common good demands constant commitment”, he stated. Moreover, the Canal, governed by an international treaty ensuring equal access to all nations in peace and war, has allowed Panama to contribute stability to global trade, “shielding this infrastructure from geopolitical tensions that all too often stymie progress”. Under 25 years of Panamanian administration, the Canal has doubled its capacity and improved security, he said.
The 2016 expansion increased cargo volume transiting the Canal by 50 per cent, while maintaining the same number of approximately 13,500 annual transits, he continued. Following the 2023-24 drought, Panama implemented innovative water conservation, logistical adjustments and the construction of an artificial lake to sustain commerce and water supplies. “In Panama, we have learned that looking after water means protecting peace,” he said. Among his country’s forward-looking efforts for the Canal are the integration of logistics and energy corridors, expansion of port infrastructure and development of cleaner fuel capabilities. “The Panama Canal is living proof that global public goods can be administered with equity, responsibility and vision,” he concluded.
Also briefing the Council was Valdecy Urquiza, Secretary General of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), who 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.
“Criminal networks are exploiting every gap between jurisdictions and every weakness in our cooperation,” he underscored. The convergence of threats requires coordinated global action to protect shipping lanes, safeguard seafarers and address the links between criminal and terrorist networks. Given its mandate, global presence and capabilities, INTERPOL serves a powerful, ready-to-use resource in preventing maritime security threats and dismantling the criminal networks behind them. He urged member countries and the Security Council to view INTERPOL as a trusted partner and to leverage its tools to enhance cooperation, front-line capacity and resilience.
In the ensuing debate, Member States echoed their concerns about the wide-ranging maritime threats and urged coordinated global action. The representative of Greece — “a global player in international shipping” — recalled that the Greek-owned ships MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C were attacked in early July. “Addressing these challenges requires robust international cooperation,” he stressed. He also said that “innovation is key”, as emerging technologies can improve monitoring, information-sharing and operational coordination.
Denmark’s delegate voiced concern about attacks on undersea infrastructure and false flag registries, and particularly about “shadow fleets” that evade sanctions in the Baltic Sea where old, poorly maintained and underinsured vessels threaten safety, trade and the environment. “An international solution is needed” to improve vessel tracking, registry integrity and industry cooperation to close regulatory loopholes, she underscored.
Ukraine’s representative, meanwhile, spotlighted threats to maritime security in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. He urged the international community to support sanctions against individuals, entities and vessels engaged in illegal maritime activities — “including the transport of pillaged Ukrainian grain by Russia and the Russian so-called ‘shadow fleet’”. Further, it should support holding the Russian Federation accountable for attacks on civilian shipping and port infrastructure, “as well as for environmental damage caused in Ukrainian waters”, he stressed.
The speaker for the United States welcomed Panama’s increased vigilance in responding to malicious maritime cyberactivities, noting that the Panama Canal was “built at great cost by the United States”. She also expressed concern over China’s “outsized influence over the Panama Canal area” — particularly with regards to critical infrastructure and port operations. The United States has “overwhelmingly borne the cost” of upholding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, she said, calling for “more burden-sharing in this effort”.
The representative of the Philippines highlighted her country’s front-line role in addressing maritime threats. “We close criminal corridors, fight piracy, build capacities, share intelligence and counter terrorist travel,” she said. The Philippines “as the world’s leading supplier of seafarers”, champions human rights at sea, she said, stressing that “seafarers must be aware of their right to refuse to sail in dangerous areas”. Citing security concerns in the West Philippine Sea and in the South China Sea, she said that her country will continue to “pursue effective diplomacy, leverage alliances, partnerships and multilateralism and build up domestic capabilities in securing our maritime domain”.
“Emerging technologies, AI [artificial intelligence] satellite monitoring and analytics are transforming maritime security, but they are also posing cyberweaponization and inequality risks,” pointed out Pakistan’s delegate. They must be developed responsibly with equitable access and safeguards. He urged the establishment of a global early warning and rapid response mechanism to address piracy, trafficking, illegal fishing and maritime accidents in real time. He also called for developing countries’ enhanced capacity through targeted technology transfer, maritime domain awareness tools and joint training programmes.
Several other Member States echoed that appeal. Somalia’s representative said coastal States, particularly in Africa, require sustained support to strengthen law enforcement, surveillance and judicial processes. Tailored training, access to advanced technologies and investment in human and institutional resources are critical, as envisioned by the African Union’s 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy and the African Charter on Maritime Security and Safety and Development in Africa.
The Republic of Korea’s representative drew attention to ongoing threats in key waterways and Pyongyang’s unlawful missile launches. His country’s joint exercises with the navy, relevant authorities and shipping companies could serve as a “good practice” for coordinated, rapid maritime threat responses, he said.
Speakers also underscored the link between maritime security, economic stability and environmental sustainability. Guyana’s representative said the safety of the marine environment from pollution must remain at the forefront of discourse. She urged support for initiatives aimed at instituting clean air policies in shipping and for the development of new low-carbon fuels and propulsion modes. These should be developed in line with IMO’s steps towards establishing a legally binding framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships globally, she added.
Sierra Leone’s representative said initiatives in Ghana, Liberia, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and civil society, highlight the impact of stronger trans-shipment controls and community-based enforcement in protecting marine resources and coastal economies. Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing erode livelihoods, undermine biodiversity, weaken governance and is estimated to cost Africa over $2 billion annually. Combating these practices is critical, he underscored.
Delegations emphasized that maritime governance must be anchored in international law, with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the primary framework. “The oceans connect us all environmentally, economically and in terms of our collective security,” underscored Slovenia’s representative. Voicing agreement with Mr. Urquiza, he said a forward-looking, intelligence-led and technology-driven approach supported by cross-sector cooperation, regulatory innovation and harmonized digital tools is vital to strengthen security and economic resilience.
However, Türkiye’s representative noted that her country has not joined the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea “due to its shortcomings regarding enclosed and semi-enclosed seas”. While recognizing the Convention’s significance, she said: “We do not concur with characterizations of [the Convention] as ‘the sole legal framework for maritime security’”. Rather, she urged the equitable delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas and the fair sharing of hydrocarbon resources.
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”.
The representative of the Russian Federation pointed out that the broad issue of maritime security does not fall under the Council’s remit. The development of a unified approach to combat organized crime in particular “must be dealt with by the relevant international structures”, he said, spotlighting the purview of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council in this regard.
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.”
Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West), Ministry for External Affairs of India, said his country engages with its partners, especially from the Global South, in several ways, including joint patrolling for their exclusive economic zone surveillance, conducting search and rescue and evacuation in emergencies such as oil spills and fires, and conducting hydrographic surveys to facilitate navigation safety.
“Regional efforts must be complemented by a global vision,” stressed Malta’s representative, spotlighting the Global Centre for Maritime Sanctions Monitoring and the newly established United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) office in her country. Japan’s representative noted his country’s contribution worth $130,000 to UNODC to enhance capacity-building and improve coordination among maritime authorities.
José Raúl Mulino, President of Panama — Council President for August — spoke in his national capacity and emphasized that “good maritime governance — as practiced by Panama — ensures vessel traceability, facilitates maritime surveillance and control and actively contributes to the prevention of international crime”. He warned, however, that the same maritime routes transporting 80 per cent of global trade are also used for illicit trafficking of drugs, weapons, migrants and counterfeit goods, and “remain very porous due to limited surveillance capacity and a lack of efficient cooperation between countries”.
China said affected countries must be supported in building capacity to safeguard “our blue home”, while respecting the sovereignty of coastal States and addressing the root causes of instability through poverty reduction and sustainable development. He added: “Historical disputes over maritime territory and rights should be resolved through friendly consultation between the directly concerned parties.”
The representative of France said his country works to promote maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea by supporting its African partners under the Yaoundé Architecture. “This is a specific example of a coordinated, effective response to a cross-border challenge,” he stated.
The United Kingdom’s representative reported that his country is implementing programmes to target organized criminal groups and disrupt illicit activities taking place across maritime routes and seaways. It is also leading efforts alongside IMO, Member States and industry to develop a “maritime cybercode” to enhance the resilience of ports, ships and the digital ecosystem, he added.
Along those lines, Mexico’s representative reported that his country adopted a national maritime policy on 30 September 2024, which aims to “consolidate our maritime interests while complying with norms established by IMO”.
Brazil’s representative highlighted that the South Atlantic Zone of Peace and Cooperation, which designates the South Atlantic as a zone free of weapons of mass destruction and insulated from foreign geopolitical disputes, will mark its fortieth anniversary at his country’s 2026 ministerial meeting. He called on all States, especially Council members, to uphold relevant General Assembly resolutions on the Zone, reinforcing peace, security and development regionally and globally.
