Launch of a multinational maritime defense alliance to enhance navigation security
Riyadh, July 30 (KUNA) -- The founding states of the multinational Maritime Defence Alliance announced on Thursday the establishment of the alliance as a framework for maritime defence cooperation aimed at enhancing maritime security, safeguarding freedom of navigation, securing international trade routes and energy supply lines, and protecting shared maritime interests in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. This was stated in a joint statement issued following a meeting of the founding states hosted in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, where the countries reaffirmed their firm commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, international law, international treaties, and internationally recognized rules and customs.
The statement clarified that the founding states emphasized that the growing challenges facing global maritime security necessitate strengthened collective maritime defence cooperation to protect freedom of navigation, international trade routes, and global energy supply lines in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. They stressed that maritime security is a shared responsibility and that cooperation and coordination among states constitute the fundamental pillar for confronting transboundary maritime threats.
The statement added that participating states will continue to complete the necessary domestic procedures for formal accession to the alliance charter in accordance with the constitutional and legal procedures adopted in each country, alongside enhancing cooperation in maritime security, information and intelligence sharing, operational planning, joint exercises, training, capacity building, and the execution of joint maritime operations in accordance with the provisions of the charter.
It reaffirmed that participation in the alliance’s activities and operations remains a sovereign decision for each state in accordance with its national systems and procedures, emphasizing that the alliance is purely defensive in nature and does not target any state, alliance, or international organization. All its activities will be conducted within the framework of commitment to international law, respect for state sovereignty, and protection of freedom of navigation.
The statement noted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be the founding and leading state of the alliance, hosting its permanent main headquarters, as well as the joint command, command and control centre, joint maritime operations centre, and the secretariat.
The founding states called on all countries that share the alliance’s objectives and principles to accede to its charter in accordance with its provisions, thereby contributing to expanding cooperation and enhancing collective maritime security in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
The statement concluded by affirming that the establishment of the multinational Maritime Defence Alliance represents a strategic step toward enhancing maritime security in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, consolidating defence cooperation among member states, and supporting security and stability in a manner that complements international efforts aimed at protecting international peace and security in accordance with international law. (End) A.A. / F.A.S.
