Kuwait: No selectivity or double standards in protecting freedom of maritime navigation
Ambassador Al-Bunai emphasizes the necessity of protecting sea lanes and avoiding selectivity in applying international law.
Translated by Qiyas from النهار — Original source
Kuwait has stressed the necessity of the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817/2026, which condemns Iran’s culpable attacks on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Jordan. Kuwait emphasized the need to put an end to all attacks and threats that obstruct legitimate transit and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz or undermine maritime security in the Bab al-Mandab.
This statement was made by Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Tariq Al-Banna, during an evening address on Thursday at a high-level open debate convened by the Security Council on emerging technologies and maritime security.
Ambassador Al-Banna stated that protecting sea lanes is a collective responsibility that allows no room for selectivity or double standards, reiterating the necessity of adhering to international law and ensuring freedom of navigation in strategic maritime passages. In this regard, he called for strengthening international cooperation and establishing responsible controls on the use of emerging technologies to contribute to the protection of maritime navigation and the preservation of international peace and security.
He noted that the Arabian Gulf region has witnessed, during the current year, culpable Iranian attacks targeting the territories of GCC countries and Jordan, as well as their vital installations, alongside attacks on oil tankers and ships, including Kuwaiti vessels, which have threatened the safety of navigation in strategic sea lanes.
He clarified that the use of modern technologies, particularly drones and advanced missiles, in military attacks has turned maritime threats into a direct danger to the security of states and the stability of the global economy. He warned that targeting commercial ships or disrupting navigational routes does not only affect the ships or routes themselves; its repercussions extend to global supply chains, energy and food prices, and the stability of economies, particularly those of developing countries that are most dependent on maritime trade.
Regarding emerging technologies, Ambassador Al-Banna said that threats, once confined to piracy and direct attacks on ships, have now expanded to include drones, autonomous systems, and cyberattacks on ships, ports, and navigation and communication networks.
He added that while these technologies offer opportunities to enhance the efficiency and safety of maritime transport, they have also enabled state and non-state actors to threaten international navigation at a low cost, with impacts that may transcend national and regional borders.
He affirmed that the success of the international community is measured by its ability to prevent the misuse of technology, protect lives and sea lanes, and prevent the seas from becoming new arenas of conflict.
