Kuwait stresses the necessity of halting attacks and threats hindering freedom of navigation in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab

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 urgent 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: Implications for International Peace and Security.”

Ambassador Al-Banna stated that protecting sea lanes is a collective responsibility that allows no room for selectivity or double standards. He reaffirmed 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 Gulf region has witnessed, during the current year, a series of culpable Iranian attacks targeting the territories of GCC countries and Jordan, as well as their vital facilities. These were accompanied by attacks on oil tankers and ships, including Kuwaiti vessels, which threatened the safety of navigation in strategic maritime passages.

He clarified that the use of modern technologies, particularly drones and advanced missiles, in military attacks has escalated maritime threats into a direct danger to the security of states and the stability of the global economy.

He pointed out that targeting commercial ships or disrupting navigational channels does not only affect the ships or passages themselves; its repercussions extend to global supply chains, energy and food prices, and economic stability, particularly for developing countries that are most dependent on maritime trade.

Regarding emerging technologies, Al-Banna stated that threats previously confined to piracy and direct attacks on ships have now expanded to include drones, autonomous systems, and cyberattacks against 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 warned that artificial intelligence, which contributes to improving risk monitoring and prediction and enhancing navigation safety, could also be used to execute more complex cyberattacks, operate autonomous systems without effective human oversight, or disseminate disinformation that disrupts navigation and exacerbates tensions.

In this context, Al-Banna called for expanding international cooperation, sharing information and expertise, and developing the technical capabilities necessary to protect ships, ports, and maritime infrastructure from cyberattacks and non-traditional threats.

He urged support for the role of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the capacity-building of developing countries, and the assurance of the safe and responsible use of autonomous systems while maintaining human responsibility and accountability.