Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, PR of Latvia to the United Nations at UN Security Council Arria-Formula meeting on Safe Seas, Shared Security: Protecting Freedom of Navigation in an Evolving Security Environment
New York, 17 September 2026
Thank you, Excellency.
Allow me to begin by thanking the Kingdom of Bahrain for organizing this Arria-Formula meeting on freedom of navigation and evolving security environment and to welcome the presence of His Excellency, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. I also thank the distinguished briefers for their valuable contributions.
The world has long faced threats of piracy, maritime crime and natural disasters. However, the norm of state actors complying with international navigation standards went mostly unchallenged for decades. This state of play has now rapidly shifted, as increasingly ruthless state actors attempt to use international waterways as leverage, to essentially blackmail the world by threatening critical supply chains and the global economy. Maritime security and the well-established norms of freedom of navigation have therefore become a major challenge on the global stage. This issue has never been as prominent for maintenance of peace and security and for the Security Council agenda as it is now, so this discussion could not be timelier.
Iran and Russia have been disrupting global maritime commerce for their own political gain, in complete disregard of international law and the humanitarian and economic consequences of their actions.
Iran has been trying to restrict free and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, an international waterway hosting countless crucial supply chains, striking commercial vessels just as it has been striking civilian infrastructure in its neighbouring states in the Gulf and beyond, in direct violation of the Council Resolution 2817.
Russia has been perpetrating unjustified strikes against Ukrainian civilian Black Sea port infrastructure and vessels since the first months of its full-scale invasion. These attacks have escalated recently, killing and injuring seafarers of various nations, targeting civilian vessels, merchant vessels, even flagged and owned by third countries, crucially, these targeted vessels are transporting grain to supply countries across the globe, desperately needed for the world’s poorest. These actions share an immoral strategy of trying to gain geopolitical advantage and putting pressure on one’s opponents at the expense of vulnerable populations in other parts of the world.
Worryingly, we are seeing a similar pattern re-emerging in the Red Sea and around the Bab-El-Mandeb Strait, as this critical global waterway is increasingly under the threat of intimidation and attack from the Iran-backed Houthis.
To be clear, all economies across the globe are affected by attacks and threats on freedom of navigation, be it in Hormuz, the Red Sea or Black Sea. However, it’s the most vulnerable, least well-off parts of our global community, across Africa, South Asia and other regions, especially in active conflict zones and humanitarian emergencies, that feel the effects the hardest. The supply chain disruptions, rising fuel prices, food prices, shortage of fertilizers mean that millions more are facing acute food insecurity, as the harvest season continues to be severely affected and consequences will last even if freedom of navigation is restored.
Other attempts by state actors to either side-step or deliberately breach international law are additional risk multipliers, endangering maritime trade, communications and environment. Among these threats we must include the “shadow fleet”, operating outside any safety parameters to unlawfully evade sanctions. Another key risk stems from sabotage against the subsea cable infrastructure worldwide.
Finally, a robust and meaningful response to these complex challenges involves a multi-layered effort. First, we must redouble on our commitment and strengthen the implementation of international law at sea, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. International waterways are governed by clear legal principles and no political considerations may interfere with freedom of navigation. Another layer is increased awareness-raising and coordination at all levels, most notably within the IMO, but also in regional organizations and other fora, while keeping the Council seized on threats that undermine navigational rights and freedoms.
Mechanisms such as US-led initiatives and the proposed UK-France-led defensive mission for the Strait of Hormuz also have a practical role to play. To address marine supply chain disruptions and sabotage, states must work collectively with the private sector to establish redundancies, determine alternatives and identify gaps before the next crisis arrives, while implementing international sanctions and closely cooperating with the flag states to combat the use of unsafe vessels.
Excellency,
Allow me to conclude by reiterating our call for an immediate cessation of attacks against lawful civilian shipping, including in and around the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and against the Ukrainian grain export infrastructure in the Black Sea. Latvia will remain a steadfast defender of maritime security and free and safe navigation.
I thank you!