Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the United Nations at UN Security Council High-Level Open Debate on “Maritime Security: Prevention, Innovation, and International Cooperation to Address Emerging Challenges”
New York, 11 August 2025
Mr President,
Allow me to begin by congratulating the Presidency of Panama on its determined leadership and on organizing this pertinent debate. I also thank the distinguished briefers from the IMO, the Panama Canal Authority and Interpol, for their comprehensive presentations.
Mr President,
World’s waterways comprise most of our planet and their free, secure and sustainable exploitation is pivotal to global growth, prosperity and long-term peace. Maritime shipping accounts for eighty percent of global commerce, not to mention its critical role in global food and energy supply.
Such reliance on maritime industry also makes it highly vulnerable to disturbances or malicious actions, from piracy to deliberate attacks on critical infrastructure. Let me focus on a few key areas of action.
First, organized criminal networks, piracy and other illicit activities are endangering all regions of the globe. High seas, while connecting nations and communities, provide vast frontiers for these illegal actors to operate.
Countering criminal activity at sea also contributes to countering such activity on land. In this regard, maritime security also remains a priority from a conflict prevention and resolution perspective.
IMO and Interpol furnish useful guidance to Member States, whilst practical actions such as multilateral naval operations in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean provide important deterrents.
Secondly, we cannot allow impunity to reign on the world’s oceans. Reckless actions - disruption of critical maritime infrastructure such as underwater cables or operation of opaque and hazardous “shadow fleets” in direct opposition to the ethos of safe seafaring - must be called out and confronted.
Flag states carry a special responsibility and must ensure compliance with international standards, transparency and accountability. Measures adopted by the Panama Ship Registry on shadow fleets are a laudable example and should be followed by other flag states.
Latvia, alongside other partners, will continue to stand for compliance with international law, including by addressing the risks stemming from shadow fleet vessels, namely in the Baltic Sea region.
Thirdly, to ensure maritime security, we should deepen international cooperation, strengthen the use of emerging technologies and holistic cyber risk-management, as well as pursue innovative monitoring approaches.
We must reinforce the resilience of maritime infrastructure and our commitment to all legally binding agreements already on the books, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is the paramount comprehensive framework governing our oceans.
Climate perspective is part of this. More than 170 countries, including my own, declaring their commitment to the sustainability of our oceans at the recent UN Ocean Conference in Nice is a highly welcome development.
Mr President,
To conclude, Latvia welcomes growing multi-faceted focus on maritime security, including by this Council, as we remain committed to safe, secure and sustainable oceans for everyone.
Thank you!