Mr. President, Excellencies,
I thank Greece for convening this meeting. As I align myself with the Statement delivered by the European Union, I would like to add some further remarks in my national capacity.
Maritime threats pose significant challenges, not just to coastal states and local communities, but also to the international community as a whole. These threats – such as piracy, terrorism, and various illicit activities like migrants smuggling and the trafficking of arms and drugs – have wide-ranging implications for security, the economy, and the environment. They undermine global stability and restrict freedom of navigation, all to the benefit of terrorist groups and transnational organized crime.
Considering these challenges, we recognize the importance of the Security Council’s role in addressing maritime security in a holistic manner and across different regions.
This effort must be grounded in existing international legal frameworks. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) serves as the legal framework within which all activities in the seas and oceans must be conducted. Alongside it, other key conventions – such as the 1988 Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation – provide a strong legal basis for Member States.
Building on this foundation, the Security Council can further enhance international cooperation at sea, offering additional guidance to address maritime insecurity.
In this context, we acknowledge the significance of previous Security Council decisions, including the Presidential Statement 15 of 2021 and Resolution 2634 (2022), with the latter specifically addressing the threat of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea.
Italy remains firmly committed to turning the Security Council’s recommendations into concrete action. We support efforts to strengthen the capacity of Member States to take effective measures against transnational organized crime at sea, and to share best practices for preventing and combating terrorism – working closely with regional and sub-regional organizations.
Last year, under Italy’s G7 presidency, we hosted an informal meeting of the G7++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea in Rome, to support the development of the regulatory and capacity-building framework of the countries and the regional institutions that are part of the Yaoundé Architecture.
The implementation of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct, together with the regular presence of naval units from several European Union countries – including Italy –, and the continued support from the international community, have all played a crucial role in reducing piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea. This tangible progress is a clear demonstration of the value of close cooperation among local, regional, and international actors.
The Red Sea region also demands heightened attention, especially in light of the recurrent attacks on international merchant and commercial vessels. Italy is actively engaged in Operation ASPIDES, working to protect vital shipping lanes in accordance with UNCLOS and UN Security Council Resolution 2722 (2024).
In the same spirit, Italy supports a multilateral approach to ensuring the stability of the Indo-Pacific region. This region is of critical importance to the global economy and the resilience of international supply chains. It is also essential for the effective resolution of challenges that affect the shared interests of the international community, including climate change and the transition to sustainable energy.
Italy remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding freedom of navigation globally and reinforcing the international law of the sea.
Thank you.
