The safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain - Security Council, 10145th meeting

Immediately restore freedom of navigation through Strait of Hormuz, speakers urge in Security Council, condemning critical waterway’s use as ‘bargaining chip’.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 02:42:36
• Production Date: 27 April 2026
• Asset Language: Arabic; English; French; Russian; Spanish; Chinese; Original
• Personal Subject: ANTONIO GUTERRES
• Corporate Name: INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION - IMO
• Subject Topical: INTERNATIONAL LAW; INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY; INTERNATIONAL TRADE; LAW OF THE SEA; WORLD ECONOMY; DEVELOPING COUNTRIES; FOOD SECURITY; MARITIME TRANSPORT; SHIPPING; INTERNATIONAL WATERCOURSES; ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE; BLOCKADE; FUEL; FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION; SEAFARERS
• Geographic Subject: IRAN
• MAMS Id: 3561971
• Parent Id: 3559769
• Alternate Title: MTG SC 10145 MARITIME SAFETY 27 APR 2026 AM PART 1

Description

The Security Council today heard urgent calls to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres warning that disruptions since early March have “struck” at global energy security, food supplies and trade. Speakers condemned the use of one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints as a “bargaining chip” and an illegal assault on shipping, seafarers and the global economy.

“The economic shock has been immediate, and everyone is paying the price,” said the UN chief, noting the Strait’s critical importance to the global economy as it carries roughly one fifth of global oil trade and nearly one third of internationally traded fertilizers.

Warning that the pressures are “cascading into empty fuel tanks, empty shelves and empty plates”, he told the 15-member Council that rising costs are slowing life-saving deliveries to people “who cannot wait”. Prolonged disruption risks triggering a global food emergency pushing millions, especially in Africa and South Asia, into hunger and poverty.

Statements delivered:

• The Secretary-General
• Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (Rule 39)
• Mr. Nick Childs, Senior Fellow, Naval Forces and Maritime Security at International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (Rule 39)
• Bahrain (President) (Council Member) France (Council Member) Panama (Council Member) Latvia (Council Member) United Kingdom (Council Member)
• France (Council Member) - His Excellency Mr. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs
• Panama (Council Member) - His Excellency Mr. Carlos Arturo Hoyos, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Latvia (Council Member) - His Excellency Mr. Andžejs Viļumsons, State Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs
• United Kingdom (Council Member) - His Excellency Mr. Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
• Pakistan (Council Member)
• United States (Council Member)
• Liberia (Council Member)
• Colombia (Council Member)
• Somalia (Council Member)
• Russian Federation (Council Member)
• Democratic Republic of the Congo (Council Member)
• China (Council Member)
• Greece (Council Member)
• Denmark (Council Member)
• Germany – His Excellency Mr. Johann Wadephul, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Argentina - His Excellency Mr. Pablo Quirno, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship
• Singapore – His Excellency Mr. Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Minister of State
• United Arab Emirates - His Excellency Mr. Khalifa bin Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State

Related Sites and Documents

UN Meetings Coverage

Secretary-General's Remarks

S/2026/346

S/PV.10145