President,
I have the honor to speak today on behalf of the Nordic countries Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Finland. We commend the Kingdom of Bahrain for convening this high-level open debate and thank the briefers for their insight.
The Nordic countries are coastal countries with open, globally connected economies, deeply reliant on the ocean. The security of our seafarers and maritime infrastructure is of vital importance to us. The Law of the Sea, as reflected in the UNCLOS, is our legal compass for all activities in the ocean and the seas.
In essence, maritime security is about freedom: the freedom of navigation, the freedom from piracy and other illicit activities, at sea and beneath it, and the freedom to use the ocean safely and sustainably, in accordance with international law.
These freedoms are increasingly challenged today. The Nordic countries are concerned over conflicts that affect innocent passage, transit passage, as well as the freedom of navigation - threatening not only maritime security, but also the safety of seafarers.
Protection of merchant ships and their crews is a shared concern of Flag, Port and Coastal States. Multilateral cooperation and information-sharing among States are vital to the maintenance of maritime security. The IMO remains the appropriate technical lead for maritime safety and environmental protection. The Security Council, however, bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. When conflicts endanger the safety and freedom of navigation, we expect the Council to take prompt action.
President,
The Strait of Hormuz must be kept open and free for transit. The current situation has far‑reaching consequences for the global economy, energy supply, and food security, and especially for people and countries already in vulnerable situations.
We call on all parties to engage in diplomacy and to refrain from the use of force. In crises like these, it is crucial that we lower tensions, allow time for negotiations, and let cool headedness prevail.
We stand ready to support efforts that can help ensure navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait, including efforts by the Secretary General and the Personal Envoy and Task Force he has designated for this purpose. Such efforts should be informed by close engagement with the Gulf countries.
We underline the urgent needs of stranded seafarers and commend the efforts of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enable their evacuation.
In Europe, Russia is continuing its hybrid activities in the maritime space. Its shadow fleet and interference of satellite navigation systems have direct impact on our national security. These irresponsible actions have led to a deterioration of the security situation in the Baltic Sea region as a whole
President,
While we need to address these urgent threats and challenges, we must not lose sight of the long-term strategic issues linked to maritime affairs: how the health of the ocean will affect future life conditions on this planet. As coastal States of the Baltic Sea as well as Arctic countries, the Nordic countries are firmly committed to the protection of the ocean and regional seas. We are delighted that the BBNJ Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction has entered into force and encourage all States to consider becoming party to this important new instrument of international law.
Thank you.