Published on: 2026-08-24
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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August 24, 2026 International Law
Navigation rights and freedoms are not abstract principles. They are guaranteed by international law. This was stated by UN Secretary-General António Guterres while speaking to journalists at the UN headquarters.
“These rights and freedoms are very important for international peace and security, as well as for the supply of food, energy resources, and essential goods on which the lives of billions of people depend,” said the Secretary-General.
Guterres noted that today conflicts in various regions negatively affect the situation of populations around the world. In the Middle East, ongoing attacks and disruptions to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea have restricted the movement of energy resources, fertilizers, and other goods.
Transit of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz has practically come to a halt, the Secretary-General recalled. Since the beginning of the conflict, that is, since February 2026, oil prices have risen by 33 percent. At the same time, global rates for container shipping have increased by 84 percent over the year. The cost of fertilizers has also sharply increased.
In the context of the conflict following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the attacks threaten shipping routes that are crucial for the export of oil, grain, and other agricultural products, said the head of the UN.
“These crises clog the arteries of global trade and inflict an especially severe blow to the global food system,” emphasized the Secretary-General.
He called for full compliance with international law, protection of civilian ships and sailors, immediate cessation of attacks in the Black and Red Seas, and restoration of rights and freedoms of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Guterres recalled that in March, immediately after the situation in the region escalated, he established an interagency task force whose main objective is to ensure the uninterrupted supply of fertilizers and the raw materials necessary for their production.
The group operates under the leadership of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). It includes representatives from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), as well as the International Chamber of Commerce.
“The goal is simple: to reduce immediate risks, support a more orderly and predictable transit, and help restore the trust necessary for diplomacy and de-escalation,” said the Secretary-General.
According to him, the proposed mechanism will not replace the complete restoration of freedom of navigation or political decisions, but it may become a first step in this direction.
“This is a demonstration that even in the midst of conflict it is possible to reduce risks, protect civilians, and secure the movement of essential goods,” Guterres said.
“I urge all interested parties to engage in serious and constructive interaction,” he added.
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