UN chief urges global unity to tackle rising maritime security threats

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged nations worldwide to uphold international law and intensify cooperation, warning that maritime security is increasingly threatened by global instability.

Addressing an open debate of the UN Security Council, Guterres highlighted the rising global threats to maritime security, including piracy, armed robbery, terrorism, and cyberattacks, particularly in hotspot areas such as the Red Sea, the Strait of Malacca, and the Gulf of Guinea.

He urged all nations to adhere to international law, especially the UN Charter and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to resolve differences and meet their obligations.

"Respect for international law is the anchor of maritime security. The international legal regime for maritime security, with the UN Charter and the Convention on the Law of the Sea at its core, strikes a careful balance between states' sovereign rights, jurisdictions and freedoms, and their duties and obligations. And it provides a strong cooperative framework for addressing crimes at sea and ensuring accountability. However, this framework is only as strong as states' commitment to full and effective implementation. All states must live up to their obligations, and they must resolve any differences in relation to maritime security in accordance with the UN Charter," said Guterres.

He also called for greater partnerships to enhance maritime security. As threats to maritime security are becoming more complex and interconnected, enhanced coordination and stronger maritime governance are essential, said Guterres.

No region is spared. And the problem is getting worse. After a modest global decrease in reported piracy and armed robbery incidents in 2024, the first quarter of 2025 saw a sharp upward reversal, warned the UN chief.

Reported incidents rose by nearly half (47.5 percent) compared with the same period in 2024, he said, citing figures from the International Maritime Organization.

UN chief urges global unity to tackle rising maritime security threats

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that Seoul firmly adheres to the one-China principle, in comments made ahead of his upcoming state visit to China.

The remarks were made in an interview with China Media Group (CMG). The visit is scheduled for Jan 4–7.

"The consensus reached between governments of the Republic of Korea and China when diplomatic relations were established continues to be the fundamental principle governing our relations, and its effectiveness remains steadfast. I want to clearly state that the ROK has always adhered to the one-China principle. Maintaining peace and stability in regional matters, including in Northeast Asia and concerning the Taiwan issue, holds significant importance to us," said Lee.

"The foundational relationship between the ROK and China was established on a very principled and fundamental basis from the beginning. It is clear that the ROK government has always adhered to this position and has never wavered from it. I believe that the sound development of ROK-China relations depends on both sides fully respecting each other's core interests and being mutually tolerant of each other's positions. In this context, we will, as always, uphold the one-China principle as the Taiwan issue is China's most fundamental concern," he said.

ROK president reiterates firm adherence to one-China principle