Statement by the Republic of Lithuania at the UN Security Council Open Debate "Maritime Security: Prevention, Innovation, and International Cooperation to Address Emerging Challenges"
Statement by Lithuania at the UN Security Council Open Debate "Maritime Security: Prevention, Innovation, and International Cooperation to Address Emerging Challenges" on Monday, 11 August 2025.
Mr. President,
I thank the Panamanian Presidency for organizing this important debate. Lithuania aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and wishes to add several remarks in its national capacity.
Maritime security is closely linked to global stability, supply chain resilience, and the international law-based order, which today faces serious challenges – not least due to Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, with wide-ranging consequences far beyond the battlefield.
A critical maritime threat arising from this criminal war is Russia’s expanding shadow fleet – aging, poorly maintained vessels under secretive ownership that evade regulations, endanger maritime safety and the environment, and enable Russia to fuel its war machine while dodging sanctions imposed due to substantial violations of international law, including the UN Charter.
Russian shadow fleet tankers have been linked to suspected sabotage, disruption of critical undersea infrastructure, and illegal anchoring in sensitive maritime zones.
Since October 2023, at least eleven undersea cables and one pipeline have been damaged in the Baltic Sea. There is an urgent need to protect critical infrastructure from illicit activities, including those linked to shadow fleets.
We welcome Panama’s decisive step to bar vessels from flying its flag and urge all flag states to enforce their jurisdiction to protect critical infrastructure and the marine environment.
Mr. President,
The Baltic Sea also faces legacy threats from sea-dumped chemical munitions from past wars. These weapons degrade over time and risk contamination if disturbed by illicit anchoring or hybrid interference, posing not only environmental but also security threats to ecosystems, economies, and coastal health.
Since 2010, Lithuania has led UN efforts, initiating the first General Assembly resolution on this issue, updated in 2023, and continues to advocate for a voluntary, transparent database mapping dumping sites, munition types, and conditions.
Mr. President,
Piracy remains a serious concern, with a sharp rise in incidents in 2025, including record armed robberies in the Singapore Straits. Lithuania contributes through the EU Operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta, protecting World Food Programme vessels and supporting regional coordination. Sustained naval presence, modern surveillance, and international cooperation are vital.
We support Panama’s call for innovation and prevention, endorsing enhanced global vessel tracking via satellite and AI, improved information sharing, and stricter flagging and insurance standards.
Lithuania reaffirms its commitment to UNCLOS and Security Council resolutions to uphold enforceable maritime rules. Maritime security affects lives and the integrity of international law – we must prevent malign actors from operating in the shadows. Transparency, innovation, and collective resolve are essential to safeguard our seas.
Thank you.
