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Address to Panama gathering urges stronger international cooperation to protect maritime security
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Summary
A speech delivered to dignitaries including Panama's president and United Nations representatives called for deeper international cooperation to address piracy, trafficking, cyber threats and environmental risks to shipping that underpin global trade.
A speech delivered to dignitaries including the president of the Republic of Panama and United Nations representatives called for stronger international cooperation to protect maritime security, citing recent piracy, trafficking and cybersecurity threats that jeopardize seafarers and global trade.
The speaker said maritime trade remained central to the world economy, noting industry figures that in 2024 some 12,600,000,000 tons of goods moved by sea and a workforce of roughly 1,900,000 seafarers. The address said nearly 150 incidents of piracy and armed robbery were reported in 2024, with reported hotspots including Singapore, India and West Africa.
The speaker described security threats as extending beyond piracy to unlawful attacks that violate international freedom of navigation, trafficking and cyberattacks that can target ships and shore-based systems. The speech called for prevention, continuous vigilance, technological innovation and strengthened regional and international cooperation as pillars of maritime security.
The address cited existing international and regional frameworks that, the speaker said, are central to responding to those threats. The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) binding instruments and obligations were cited, including the 2004 protocols for the suppression of unlawful acts at sea and IMO requirements that address cybersecurity within mandatory safety-management systems. Regional arrangements mentioned included the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), the Djibouti Code of Conduct and its Jeddah Amendment, and the Yaounde9 Code of Conduct for West and Central Africa. The speaker also noted recent IMO action to establish regional maritime information-sharing centers adopted in June (year not specified in the address) to enhance situational awareness.
The address highlighted partnerships with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Interpol and donor states to help recipient states strengthen national capabilities and build regional trust. Specific programs referenced included Safe Seas for Africa and regional maritime-security programs addressing the Red Sea and eastern and southern Africa and the Indian Ocean.
The speaker urged a 'whole-of-government' approach, better integration and compliance with international standards, and the use of emerging technologies such as satellite monitoring and artificial intelligence to improve maritime domain awareness while stressing the importance of robust cybersecurity governance. The address also emphasized that maritime security efforts must include protection of the marine environment and enhancements to national and regional response capabilities.
The speech closed with thanks to the president of Panama and to the United Nations Security Council for their support of the IMO's work on maritime safety and security.
