His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Siad Doualeh
Ambassador, Permanent Representative
Of Djibouti to the United Nations
before
The Open debate of the Security Council
on
Strengthening Maritime Security through International Cooperation for Global Stability
Tuesday, 20 May 2025
Mr. President,
At the outset, I wish to reiterate Djibouti's gratitude to Greece, President of the Security council for the month of May for convening this meeting on maritime security at a time when threats are multiplying and are growing more complex and are increasingly interconnected. Coincidentally and as noted in one UNIDIR report, the current configuration of the Security council includes a group of countries that bring accumulated experience and expertise on the subject matter. We further thank the Greek Presidency for the detailed and well-crafted concept note as well as the guiding questions. They go a long way in clarifying the stakes and fostering an in depth discussion on how best to collectively confront traditional threats as well as emerging challenges.
Our gratitude goes to the Secretary General and the briefers for their invaluable contribution.
Mr. President,
Djibouti has a stake in maritime security for obvious reasons. It lies at the confluence of some of the world’ s most vital maritime routes, (approximately 20% of global trade flows through this passage) and as a seafaring nation since time immemorial-the Law of the Sea-as developed over the years- has always been of great importance to the Djibouti people. Indeed, Djibouti is proud to have been one of the original signatories of the Montego Convention on 10 December 1982.
As underscored by the Secretary General this morning, we reiterate the importance of respecting international law. Security Council resolutions and the obligations under UNCLOS must be fully and effectively implemented. UNCLOS is universally - and rightfully - lauded for having codified a legal regime that comprehensively addresses the most significant issues that face the world's oceans and coastal states. But, I would submit, one of the Convention s greatest achievements , is underappreciated. I refer to the drafters s wise decision to imbed into the legal architecture that they erected a recognition that cooperation, both internationally and critically, regionally- is essential for facilitating responsible and peaceful uses of the seas.
The obligations of cooperation are of particular importance to Djibouti, in light of the regrettable maritime issues that have plagued the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden which have led to the adoption by the Council of resolution 2722 of January 2024. Djibouti is therefore pleased to have played a significant role in developing the Code of Conduct concerning the repression of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, which Djibouti and 20 regional States adopted on 29 January 2009, and which is known as the Djibouti Code of Conduct. The Code, which reaffirms that “international law, as reflected in UNCLOS, sets out the legal framework applicable to combating piracy and armed robbery at sea,” memorializes the signatories’ agreement to cooperate in regard to the investigation, arrest and prosecution of those reasonably suspected of committing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships; the interdiction and seizure of suspect ships; the rescue of ships, persons, and property; and the conduct of shared operations.
Since the adoption of the Djibouti Code of Conduct – and building on its success in facilitating cooperation – 18 regional States adopted, in January 2017, the Jeddah Amendment to the Code of Conduct. This expanded the Code’s coverage to include cooperation in regard to other activities impacting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the importance of which has become increasingly clear, namely: illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; trafficking in arms and narcotics and psychotropic substances; illegal trade in wildlife; illegal oil bunkering; crude oil theft; human trafficking and smuggling; and illegal dumping of toxic waste.
Under President Guelleh, Djibouti’s economic development blueprint seeks to transform the country into a logistics, commercial and telecom hub. Djibouti has invested in 12 submarine cables underscoring its commitment to becoming a digital gateway between Europe, Asia and Africa. Such plans can only be achieved if maritime security concerns are effectively addressed when they arise. Djibouti has undertaken efforts to strengthen its maritime security framework. We seize this opportunity to thank the international organizations, friends and partners which assisted Djibouti in its efforts to bolster port security plans and enhance the skills of personnel responsible for its implementation. But building a self-reliant maritime security sector would require investing in robust naval capabilities and designing long term, sustainable training programmes and technology transfer. Needless to say, this requires massive investments in an environment of competing priorities as is often the case in developing countries. We therefore call on our friends and partners to continue providing Djibouti, with the crucial support it needs.
Djibouti is a reliable and committed partner. It serves as a humanitarian hub and it hosts installations that are involved in counter-terrorism operations and anti-piracy missions, thereby contributing to regional global security.
Monsieur le Président,
L’Accord BBNJ que Djibouti a récemment signé participe de cette détermination collective de la communauté internationale à renforcer la coopération et la coordination internationales autour des questions centrales liées à la conservation et a l’utilisation durable de la diversité biologique marine des zones ne relevant pas de la juridiction nationale. Nous reprenons en écho l’appel lancé pour la signature et la ratification de ce texte fondamental .
Je vous remercie de votre attention
