UN Headquarters (Dawan Africa) – Somalia urged the United Nations Security Council on Monday to take decisive action to protect the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, two vital waterways for global trade. In a high-level debate on maritime security, Somalia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Mohamed Rabi A. Yusuf, emphasized the strategic importance of these seas as key arteries for international commerce, transporting a significant portion of the world’s goods.
Yusuf highlighted that instability in these maritime zones would have far-reaching consequences for global trade. He called for enhanced cooperation, capacity building, and technology transfer to assist coastal states in safeguarding their waters. The African Union’s 2050 Integrated Maritime Strategy and the Lomé Charter were cited as critical frameworks to promote resilience.
The Deputy Permanent Representative also linked the maritime security challenges to land-based issues, noting that poverty and unemployment often push individuals, particularly the youth, towards criminal activities at sea. Yusuf identified illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing as a major driver of piracy and environmental damage.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of international legal frameworks to ensure governance and respect for sovereignty, calling for strengthened global cooperation to create a safe and secure maritime environment.
Yusuf reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to working with the UN Security Council and the international community to foster a prosperous and secure maritime future.
