UN Urges Global Action To Protect Red Sea Shipping In 9525TH MEETING

Senior UN representatives have pleaded with the Security Council to prevent regional tensions from rising and prioritise safeguarding global supply lines. The end of December 2023 saw attacks on the MSC United and Maersk Hangzhou, which, along with other incidents, put the region’s marine safety in danger.

The possible effects of ongoing Houthi threats and the possibility of military escalation on millions of people in Yemen and around the world were emphasised by Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific. He highlighted the detrimental effects on global supply chains, citing the suspension of Red Sea operations by major corporations such as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, which resulted in higher freight costs and longer delivery times.

The International Maritime Organization Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, emphasised the significance of guaranteeing seafarers’ safety, freedom of navigation, and supply chain stability. Eighteen shipping companies have rerouted cargo through the Red Sea shipping lane, which accounts for 15% of world trade. This has resulted in longer trip times and increased freight charges. Several Security Council members condemned the Houthi attacks on commercial ships, demanded the release of the captured Galaxy Leader and its crew, and stressed the harm to international supply networks and the provision of humanitarian supplies. It was suggested that de-escalation measures be used to stop additional regional instability.

A few speakers, including the representative of Algeria, highlighted the importance of examining the issue within the framework of the current turmoil in the Middle East. The spokesman for the Russian Federation connected the events in the Red Sea to the destruction in Gaza, criticising the US for blocking resolutions and assigning the primary cause to Iran’s backing of Houthi operations. Reporting on multinational naval operations to defend ships in the southern Red Sea, the US representative blamed Iran for the problem, labelling Houthi attacks as illegal under international law. The representative from Israel demanded that the Council confront Iran’s status as a “global danger,” citing its aim of gaining supremacy over the region. The representative from Slovenia stressed the necessity of stopping additional instability and bloodshed in the area.

Secretary-General Dominguez reaffirmed his criticism of the Red Sea attacks and emphasised how unacceptable they are at the UN Security Council. He highlighted how eighteen companies had to reroute ships to prevent threats, which impacted the global shipping sector. Appreciating the Djibouti Code of Conduct’s efforts to address concerns in the Red Sea region, Dominguez urged for de-escalation to ensure freedom of navigation, stability in the supply chain, and safety of seafarers. He urged ships in the area to maintain contact and take safety precautions.

Reference: press.un.org

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