On August 18, 2023, the UN Security Council convened a high-level open debate titled “Maritime Security: Prevention, Innovation, and International Cooperation to Address Emerging Challenges.” Under the leadership of Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino, this meeting served as a hallmark event for Panama’s presidency of the Council. The agenda focused on the crucial connection between maritime security, international peace, economic stability, and environmental sustainability.
The session featured briefings from notable figures such as Arsenio Domínguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Valdecy Urquiza, Secretary-General of INTERPOL, and Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, CEO of the Panama Canal Authority. Panama’s Ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba highlighted the debate’s aim to encourage substantial dialogue amongst member states regarding the increasingly complex threats facing global peace and maritime security.
The discussion underscores an evolving landscape of traditional maritime threats—such as piracy and armed robbery—intertwined with emerging risks like cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and illegal activities including fishing and wildlife trafficking. The concept note prepared by Panama elaborates on how geopolitical tensions over maritime routes and disinformation campaigns threaten to destabilize the region, exacerbating issues related to illicit resource transport and sanctions evasion.
A significant concern highlighted is the disruption of freedom of navigation, which poses serious risks to international trade, especially for nations grappling with food and energy shortages. To address these challenges, the note calls for enhanced compliance with international law, deeper cooperative frameworks, improved monitoring systems, and the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and satellite monitoring for better maritime domain awareness.
Key points for discussion included the potential establishment of a dedicated UN maritime security mechanism, strategies for strengthening prevention and emergency response systems, protecting ocean ecosystems while promoting equitable economic growth, and leveraging new technologies for enhanced security.
Interestingly, the previous high-level debate on this topic, held in May under Greece’s presidency, revealed a consensus on the necessity of cooperation but also exposed deep divisions, particularly between China, Russia, and Western nations, regarding the scope of the Council’s authority over maritime disputes and emerging issues like “shadow fleets” that evade sanctions. These ongoing disagreements add layers of complexity to the mission for unified international action within this critical maritime domain.
Overall, the meeting emphasized the urgent need for innovative and collaborative approaches to maritime security, underscoring the essential role of multilateralism and adherence to international legal frameworks to navigate the emerging challenges effectively.
