Dubrovnik, Croatia: HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi, has called for stronger international cooperation to safeguard maritime security, warning that rising geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, and attacks on critical infrastructure have made collective action more urgent than ever.
Speaking at the Dubrovnik Forum in Croatia on Friday, HE Dr Al Khulaifi said maritime security could no longer be viewed as the responsibility of any single nation, as recent developments in the Middle East had demonstrated how disruptions to key maritime routes could send shockwaves through the global economy, energy markets and international supply chains. He stressed that freedom of navigation is not merely a commercial concern but a fundamental principle of international law and a strategic necessity for Qatar and the Gulf region, whose economies depend heavily on open sea lanes and a rules-based global trading system.
HE Dr Al Khulaifi warned against any shift towards exclusive or politically controlled maritime corridors, saying such an approach would increase fragmentation, undermine international stability and weaken global economic resilience.
Outlining Qatar’s vision for long-term maritime security, he identified three essential pillars: strict adherence to international law, the protection of freedom of navigation without discrimination, and the pursuit of diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
While acknowledging the importance of military capabilities in deterring threats, he said they cannot replace trust and cooperation between nations.
Drawing on Qatar’s extensive mediation efforts, HE Dr Al Khulaifi said lasting security cannot be achieved through deterrence alone, arguing that sustainable peace requires dialogue, political solutions and sustained diplomatic engagement.
Addressing the role of the United States, he described Washington as an indispensable partner in maintaining maritime security due to its naval capabilities and strategic presence. However, he noted that recent developments in the region had demonstrated that military superiority does not automatically lead to political stability.
HE Dr Al Khulaifi also underscored the strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a substantial share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes each day. He stressed that the vital waterway must remain open, secure and governed by international law to ensure the uninterrupted flow of global trade and energy supplies.
Concluding his remarks, HE Dr Al Khulaifi reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to upholding international law, protecting critical maritime infrastructure, preserving freedom of navigation and promoting the peaceful resolution of disputes. He said diplomacy, dialogue and international cooperation remain the strongest foundations for achieving lasting maritime security.
