11 August, 2025

Thank you very much Mr. President, Your Excellency.

First, I want to welcome you to the Chamber today. Your chairing of this open debate testifies to the importance Panama attaches to maritime security.

I also want to thank Mr. Domínguez of IMO, Mr. Vásquez Morales of Panama Canal Authority as well as and Mr. Urquiza from Interpol for their informative briefings.

Mr. President,

Slovenia thanks the presidency for organizing today’s important debate with distinguished briefers from IMO, Panama Canal Authority and Interpol. We welcome the fact that maritime security features prominently on this year’s agenda of the Security Council. The oceans connect us all – environmentally, economically and in terms of our collective security.

Their protection and safe use are our shared responsibility.

As a maritime nation, Slovenia is keenly aware of the importance of secure and stable sea-lanes.

Our own Port of Koper, situated on the Adriatic coast, serves as a vital gateway between Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, facilitating the movement of goods and supporting regional economic resilience.

In today’s interconnected world, geopolitical tensions on land often echo at sea. Whether through threats to freedom of navigation, criminal activity, piracy, or the disruption of maritime supply chains, these challenges demand our close and coordinated attention.

I would like to make the following three points in this regard:

First, as with all matters of international peace and security, we must be guided by international law.

In this regard, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides the primary legal framework for maritime governance. States are not only bound by its provisions but are also explicitly obliged to act in good faith to uphold these principles. That includes taking all necessary preventive measures and ensuring accountability where violations occur. The Security Council has a role in underscoring these obligations and supporting efforts to ensure compliance.

Second, maritime security must go hand in hand with ocean protection and sustainable development. In the words of Mr. Morales, the CEO of Panama Canal Authority, looking after water means protecting peace. We support expanding marine protected areas, tackling illegal fishing and marine pollution, and fostering a sustainable blue economy that enables inclusive growth for coastal and island nations.

Advancing these goals requires strengthened international cooperation, harmonized legal frameworks and meaningful empowerment of local communities. All essential steps to ensure that ocean health and human prosperity advance together.

Third, looking ahead, we must not only secure the seas but also address the challenges posed by organized crime.

The infiltration of legitimate business structures remains a core enabler of organized crime. In light of these developments, we agree with the Secretary General of Interpol, it is imperative that we adopt a forward-looking, intelligence-led, and technologically driven approach to counter the growing threat posed by serious and organized crime. Cross-sectoral cooperation, regulatory innovation, and the strategic use of harmonized digital tools will be central to safeguarding our security and economic resilience.

Mr. President,

Let us work together to ensure the seas remain a space of opportunity, not vulnerability. Slovenia remains committed to doing its part.

Thank you.