"All countries, coastal and landlocked, rely on the security of the world’s oceans. Freedom of navigation, confirmed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, is recognized as a fundamental principle of international law. To advance development and promote prosperity, we must combat immediate threats to maritime security, while building local capacities and empowering coastal communities to manage the oceans sustainably over the long term. This requires meaningful investment, commitment, and political will.
Working together, we can keep our seas safe and free from crime."
UNODC Executive Director, Ghada Waly, at UN Security Council, August 2021
