Statement by Mr. IRIYA Takayuki, Minister, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council Arria-Formula Meeting on “Maritime Safety and Security: Protection of Seafarers”
2025/11/21
(As delivered)
Thank you, Madam Chair.
As Japan joins today’s Arria Formula Meeting as a co-sponsor, I wish to express our gratitude to Greece for taking the initiative to hold this meeting, building upon relevant signature open debates in the Council. I also thank the briefers for their meaningful inputs.
As we see an increasing number of attacks against vessels, such as off the coast of Somalia, we strongly believe that discussions in the Council on this agenda are timely and relevant.
Today, I would like to make two points on the protection of seafarers.
First, the safety of seafarers should be ensured by securing sea lanes across the world. Attacks against merchant and commercial vessels are urgent challenges that jeopardize the safety of maritime transport, and thus, pose grave threats to the safety and welfare of seafarers.
The Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, or the SUA Convention, including its 2005 Amendment, is an extremely important international treaty governing the cooperation on the prosecution and extradition of persons committing unlawful acts against ships, such as violence against seafarers. We would like to call for broader accession to the Convention.
The Security Council resolution 2722 adopted in January last year affirmed that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected. As a responsible maritime nation, Japan co-penned the resolution with the U.S. and we believe it remains quite relevant when we discuss the protection of seafarers today.
I would also like to touch upon our role in regional and multilateral counter-piracy efforts on the ground, such as sending our Self-Defence Forces and Japan Coast Guard off the coast of Somalia and into the Gulf of Aden, as well as supporting the Information Centre of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) to enhance maritime law enforcement capabilities of participating States.
Second, thorough respect for the rule of law at sea is in our common interest and must be upheld. We must continue our efforts to promote the free and open maritime order in accordance with international law, in particular UNCLOS. Dangerous actions that obstruct the freedom of navigation and overflight run contrary to these efforts.
With regard to concrete measures on the protection of seafarers, the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) is the fundamental legal framework to protect seafarers’ rights, including working and living conditions. It is of great importance to keep up with the needs and developments of seafarers by adopting domestic measures in line with the relevant international instruments.
Madam Chair,
We also attach great importance to the empowerment of women and promote women participation in seafaring by introducing good practices of maritime transport operators such as through social media.
In closing, maritime security is fundamental to international peace and security. We look forward to continuing the discussions on maritime security in the Council.
I thank you.
As Japan joins today’s Arria Formula Meeting as a co-sponsor, I wish to express our gratitude to Greece for taking the initiative to hold this meeting, building upon relevant signature open debates in the Council. I also thank the briefers for their meaningful inputs.
As we see an increasing number of attacks against vessels, such as off the coast of Somalia, we strongly believe that discussions in the Council on this agenda are timely and relevant.
Today, I would like to make two points on the protection of seafarers.
First, the safety of seafarers should be ensured by securing sea lanes across the world. Attacks against merchant and commercial vessels are urgent challenges that jeopardize the safety of maritime transport, and thus, pose grave threats to the safety and welfare of seafarers.
The Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, or the SUA Convention, including its 2005 Amendment, is an extremely important international treaty governing the cooperation on the prosecution and extradition of persons committing unlawful acts against ships, such as violence against seafarers. We would like to call for broader accession to the Convention.
The Security Council resolution 2722 adopted in January last year affirmed that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected. As a responsible maritime nation, Japan co-penned the resolution with the U.S. and we believe it remains quite relevant when we discuss the protection of seafarers today.
I would also like to touch upon our role in regional and multilateral counter-piracy efforts on the ground, such as sending our Self-Defence Forces and Japan Coast Guard off the coast of Somalia and into the Gulf of Aden, as well as supporting the Information Centre of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) to enhance maritime law enforcement capabilities of participating States.
Second, thorough respect for the rule of law at sea is in our common interest and must be upheld. We must continue our efforts to promote the free and open maritime order in accordance with international law, in particular UNCLOS. Dangerous actions that obstruct the freedom of navigation and overflight run contrary to these efforts.
With regard to concrete measures on the protection of seafarers, the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) is the fundamental legal framework to protect seafarers’ rights, including working and living conditions. It is of great importance to keep up with the needs and developments of seafarers by adopting domestic measures in line with the relevant international instruments.
Madam Chair,
We also attach great importance to the empowerment of women and promote women participation in seafaring by introducing good practices of maritime transport operators such as through social media.
In closing, maritime security is fundamental to international peace and security. We look forward to continuing the discussions on maritime security in the Council.
I thank you.