Saudi Arabia advances multinational maritime defense alliance initiative

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia on Thursday hosted an international meeting to advance its proposal for a multinational maritime defense alliance aimed at strengthening maritime security, protecting international shipping lanes and countering threats to global trade.The meeting brought together chiefs of staff and their representatives from 43 countries, as well as the European Union Delegation to Saudi Arabia, underscoring growing international support for enhanced maritime defense cooperation.Participants reviewed escalating threats to maritime security, including attacks on commercial vessels, energy tankers and critical maritime infrastructure, warning that such incidents pose risks to freedom of navigation, global supply chains and the international economy.The meeting also examined the proposed charter for the multinational maritime defense alliance, its governance framework, organizational structure, command-and-control arrangements, operating mechanisms and future implementation plans. The alliance is intended to strengthen collective maritime defense cooperation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.Delegates discussed foundational arrangements for the alliance, including Saudi Arabia's role as the founding nation, its leadership of the initiative and its hosting of the alliance's headquarters, reflecting international confidence in the Kingdom's role in promoting collective maritime security.The participants agreed to continue technical and military planning among countries interested in joining the alliance to finalize its charter, reference documents, organizational structure, command arrangements, operational procedures and technical working groups, while member states complete their national approval processes ahead of the alliance's formal launch.Saudi Arabia said the alliance would be an open international defense initiative, welcoming all countries that share its objectives and principles. The Kingdom said the coalition is intended to strengthen collective maritime security, safeguard freedom of navigation and global trade, and promote shared international responsibility for protecting strategic sea lanes.A joint statement issued by 14 countries endorsed the proposed alliance and welcomed progress on its founding arrangements. The signatories were Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia.Saudi officials said additional countries have expressed support for the initiative and are completing their domestic procedures before joining the joint declaration.The meeting concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to completing the alliance's establishment, strengthening collective capabilities to deter maritime threats, protect international shipping routes and promote regional and global security and stability.