Mr. President,

I thank Panama, as one of the foremost maritime nations, for convening this timely debate.

We welcome Your Excellency, Honourable Foreign Minister of Panama, and appreciate the valuable briefings from the Secretary-Generals of the IMO and INTERPOL, and the CEO of the Panama Canal Authority.

As a maritime country surrounded by sea, Türkiye places high priority to maritime security, freedom of navigation, and open sea lines of communication, and has always been a steadfast supporter of the Rule of Law at sea.

Preserving freedom of navigation and ensuring the peaceful use of seas and oceans remain primary objectives.

Piracy, terrorism, and armed robbery pose serious threats to seafarers, international trade, food and energy security and the prosperity of all nations.

Regional conflicts also undermine maritime security and freedom of navigation.

We are closely following developments in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, where tensions confirm our warnings that Israeli aggression in Gaza would spill over, threatening navigation.

A permanent ceasefire in Gaza is essential to securing freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

Mr. President,

Türkiye actively participates in joint operations against maritime piracy, armed robbery, and terrorism. We see regional cooperation as complementary to multilateral efforts.

We contributed to counter-piracy off Somalia, provide training to the Somalia Navy and Coast Guard, and support the Combined Maritime Forces’ Task Force headquarters in Bahrain.

We host NATO’s Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (MARSEC COE) in Istanbul, the primary platform within NATO for training related to maritime security.

Mr. President,

Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, we have meticulously and impartially implemented the Montreux Convention and will continue to do so to help prevent the conflict from spilling over into the Black Sea.

We call on the concerned parties to contribute to our efforts in minimizing the effect of the war on the Black Sea.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, facilitated by the UN and Türkiye, represented a significant diplomatic achievement, helping to prevent a global food crisis while enhancing maritime safety in the region.

Preserving stability in the Black Sea is essential to prevent escalation and safeguard the uninterrupted functioning of the global food market.

Irregular migration and migrant smuggling remain pressing maritime challenges.

Located along Eastern Mediterranean routes, Türkiye plays a leading role in addressing irregular migration in full adherence to humanitarian principles, hosting one of the largest refugee populations and conducting robust maritime surveillance and search-and-rescue operations.

Mr. President,

Türkiye has not joined UNCLOS due to its shortcomings regarding enclosed and semi-enclosed seas.

We remain a “persistent objector” to certain articles concerning the breadth of the territorial sea, contiguous zone, and the regime of islands.

While recognizing the Convention’s significance, we do not concur with characterizations of UNCLOS as “the sole legal framework for maritime security”.

Resolving maritime boundary issues in line with international law, the principle of equity, and relevant jurisprudence is essential.

Likewise, the exploitation of hydrocarbon resources must fully respect the legitimate and inherent rights of all relevant peoples and parties.

Refraining from unilateral actions and avoiding maximalist positions are key to fostering stability and cooperation.

Our vision is for our region to be one of stability and prosperity, where maritime jurisdiction areas are equitably delimited and hydrocarbon resources are shared fairly.

In closing, Türkiye reaffirms its commitment to international cooperation, maritime security, and the rule of law at sea—ensuring that our oceans remain safe, secure, and accessible to all.

I thank you.