Maritime zones are increasingly vulnerable to conventional and non-conventional threats, including the proliferation of missile and drone technologies, the illicit flow of arms and the challenges of protecting critical maritime infrastructure from an increasingly complex threat landscape. This highlights the pressing need for a stronger integration between maritime governance and the international frameworks aimed at promoting disarmament, arms control and cooperative security.
The recently adopted Pact for the Future reflects an urgent commitment to enhancing international cooperation in this domain. In particular, Action 22 of the Pact calls for more coordinated global efforts to secure our oceans through stronger maritime governance, environmental stewardship and measures to prevent the escalation of conflicts at sea. With increasing threats from climate change, geopolitical tensions and technological developments, acting swiftly and decisively is necessary to prevent further destabilization of our maritime environments.
Within this context, UNIDIR’s report marks the first comprehensive exploration of contemporary maritime security and provides an essential baseline for understanding these diverse and complex challenges, setting the context for future in-depth studies.