Manama: Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in a high-level ministerial meeting on enhancing cooperation to achieve a safe and stable maritime domain, jointly convened by Bahrain, Canada, Estonia, Japan, the Netherlands and the Philippines, together with the European Union, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
According to Bahrain News Agency, In his remarks, Dr. Al Zayani affirmed Bahrain's rejection of the use of waterways as instruments of coercion and called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2817 and 2722. He stressed that freedom of navigation is "non-negotiable" and protected under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The Foreign Minister noted that recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, Bab Al Mandab and the Black Sea demonstrate the far-reaching impact of threats to maritime security and freedom of navigation on global trade, energy and food security, and supply chains.
He strongly condemned the Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain, GCC countries and Jordan, as well as threats to navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, calling for the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2817 and ensuring full, safe and unrestricted navigation through the Strait.
Dr. Al Zayani also condemned Houthi attacks on commercial shipping and repeated attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, its civilian population and infrastructure. He affirmed Bahrain's full solidarity with Riyadh and called for the strict implementation of Security Council Resolution 2722.
He noted that Bahrain had convened an Arria-formula meeting of the Security Council the previous week under the theme "Safe Seas, Shared Security." The meeting produced practical recommendations, including strengthening early-warning systems and maritime information sharing, emergency preparedness, securing essential supplies, and protecting seafarers. It also called for continued Security Council engagement and stronger implementation of international law to prevent strategic waterways from being used as instruments of coercion.
Dr. Al Zayani concluded by affirming that, through its membership of the UN Security Council and its rotating chairmanship of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Bahrain will continue working with international partners to safeguard maritime routes and protect shared prosperity.