Delivered By: Ms. Fatema Yousuf, Chargé d’Affaires a.i.
Mr. President,
I would like to begin by congratulating Panama on its presidency of the Security Council this month. I also wish to thank His Excellency, President Mulino, President of the Republic of Panama, for presiding over the meeting this morning.
I further thank our additional briefers , Secretary-General Domínguez, Mr. Vásquez, and Secretary-General Urquiza, whose respective contributions highlighted the importance of maritime security for all nations.
Mr. President,
With eighty percent of the world’s trade transported by sea, the security and accessibility of maritime routes are not just essential for global prosperity – it is fundamental to international peace, security, and stability.
However, this vital domain faces an increasingly complex and unpredictable array of challenges, from piracy and organized crime and to terrorism, to geopolitical tensions, armed attacks and the climate crisis.
With the rise of threats to maritime security, the United Arab Emirates would like to lay out three specific ways to strengthen the safety of our seas:
First, we must leverage the power and potential of emerging technologies to bolster maritime operations awareness. Rapid advancements in innovations like Artificial Intelligence and space satellite systems provide us with unprecedented opportunities for threat detection, predictive analytics, and real-time monitoring.
The UAE has pioneered these technologies through initiatives like its Satgate project, a collaboration between the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center. By harnessing AI and advanced satellite technologies, Satgate empowers us to better monitor sea conditions, forecast weather, and improve ship tracking operations.
Second, building resilience in the maritime domain goes hand-in-hand with addressing both the climate crisis and global water security. Rising seas and increasing storms are a growing threat to freshwater sources and coastal communities, in turn a growing threat to maritime security.
Climate change and water scarcity are closely connected challenges that, if not tackled, can deepen instability and undermine long-term maritime security. Next year, the UAE, together with Senegal, will co-host the 2026 UN Water Conference and will work with the international community on innovative strategies to address the global water crisis.
Third, the rapidly evolving nature of today’s transnational threats means we can no longer operate in siloes. Now more than ever, we need to build robust partnerships and deepen our cooperation in the maritime security. Collaborative efforts such as joint training programs, technical assistance, and the establishment of regional centers are key for ensuring that all nations are equipped to address complex maritime challenges.
Mr. President,
Maritime security is critical to international peace and security. The safety of our seas is a collective responsibility.
By working together, we can ensure that our oceans remain pathways for peace and prosperity for generations to come.
Thank you, Mr. President.