STATEMENT BY
H.E. MR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL HIGH-LEVEL OPEN DEBATE
“STRENGTHENING MARITIME SECURITY THROUGH INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR GLOBAL SECURITY”
TUESDAY, 20 MAY 2025
Mr. President,
Malaysia congratulates Greece on assuming the Presidency of the Security Council for May 2025, and thanks you for convening this debate.
2. As a maritime nation with continental roots, Malaysia recognises the vital importance of maritime security in safeguarding territorial integrity and sovereignty. It is also a key pillar in ensuring safe and secure trade. Cognizant that our strategic geographical location carries significant geopolitical and geoeconomic weight, as well as responsibilities, Malaysia has consistently taken proactive measures to address challenges and threats to the maritime order, both regionally and globally.
Mr. President,
3. We firmly believe that the promotion of maritime security is most effectively achieved through sustained communication, enhanced cooperation, and robust confidence-building measures. In light of the increasingly complex and critical challenges impacting maritime security in Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific, we wish to offer the following views:
3.1. First, States should transcend their differences and avoid engaging in competitive strategic ambitions. States should continue to endeavour to institutionalise bilateral, regional or multilateral platforms, as appropriate, for maritime security and cooperation dialogues to manage major power competition. Within ASEAN, the annual Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum and the East Asia Summit allow ASEAN Member States and dialogue partners to exchange views, amongst others, on pertinent issues concerning regional stability, maritime security and trade;
3.2. Second, without prejudice to national sovereignty and maritime territorial integrity, matters relating to maritime security and cooperation should adhere to universally-recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as obligations incumbent upon States Parties;
3.3. Third, littoral States along critical sea lanes vital to global trade should cooperate to ensure freedom of navigation and navigational safety. For instance, Malaysia, through the Cooperative Mechanism for the Straits of Malacca, collaborates with littoral States, user States and the shipping industry under the International Maritime Organisation’s Protection of Vital Shipping Lanes initiative, to enhance maritime safety and environmental protection;
3.4. Fourth, neighbouring States should cooperate to ensure maritime security. Since 2004, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand have been working closely under the Malacca Straits Patrol cooperative arrangement, with the aim of ensuring the security of maritime areas along the Straits of Malacca;
3.5. Fifth, States should consider the establishment and expansion of cooperative mechanisms for maritime law enforcement. In 2017, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines established the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement (TCA) to address security challenges in the Celebes Sea and Sulu Sea. The TCA has proven to be an effective framework, significantly reducing illicit activities in designated Areas of Maritime Interest (AMI). Notably, there have been no reported kidnap-for-ransom incidents within the AMI since 2021. This success has contributed meaningfully to increased economic activity and strengthened people-to-people engagement in the region; and
3.6. Finally, States should cooperate and coordinate to enhance maritime domain awareness. Modernising capabilities, building capacity and enabling information sharing among relevant stakeholders would allow swift, responsive and effective actions by States to counter illegal activities at sea. This cooperation and coordination can be further elevated to include collective research and development mechanisms for technological innovation involving various parties.
4. In closing, Malaysia is keen to exchange views with States to conceptualise and crystallise comprehensive strategies in addressing emerging challenges and threats to further bolster maritime security, which will significantly contribute to global peace and prosperity.
Thank you, Mr President.