Saudi Arabia establishes a maritime defense alliance for navigation in the Red Sea
The governments of the founding states of the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance, convened in the city of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on July 30, 2026, reaffirming their firm commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the provisions of international law, international treaties, and internationally recognized rules and customs.
Recognizing the growing challenges facing global maritime security and the imperative to strengthen collective maritime defense cooperation to safeguard freedom of navigation and international trade routes, and to secure global energy supply routes in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
Convinced that maritime security is a shared responsibility, and that cooperation and coordination among states constitute the fundamental pillar for addressing common and transboundary maritime threats, thereby contributing to enhancing global security, stability, and prosperity.
- Affirming that the Alliance is purely defensive in nature, does not target any state, alliance, or international organization, and conducts all its activities in full compliance with international law, respect for state sovereignty, and protection of freedom of navigation.
- Calling upon states that share the Alliance’s objectives and principles to join its charter in accordance with its provisions, thereby contributing to expanding cooperation and strengthening collective maritime security in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
- The founding states affirm that the establishment of the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance represents a strategic step toward enhancing maritime security in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, consolidating defense cooperation among member states, and supporting stability and prosperity, thereby contributing to integration with international efforts to protect global peace and security in accordance with the provisions of international law.
