The United Nations Security Council held an open debate titled “New Technologies and Maritime Security: Implications for Peace and Security.” The session was chaired by the UN Secretary‑General’s Cabinet Secretary, Courtenay Rattray, who spoke on the risks that artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies pose to maritime safety. Rattray highlighted that more than 90 % of global trade is carried by sea and that over 99 % of worldwide data traffic travels through undersea cables. He warned that disruptions at critical maritime chokepoints could have unpredictable and far‑reaching effects on jobs, food and energy security and overall planetary well‑being. “The maritime sector supports millions of jobs, connectivity, food and energy security, and the well‑being of our planet,” Rattray said. He added that autonomous systems, unmanned aerial and maritime vehicles, satellite imagery and cyber technologies are reshaping both opportunities and threats in the maritime domain. While acknowledging that technology can enhance port and navigation safety, Rattray cautioned that cyber attacks and interference with communication systems could disrupt maritime operations without a physical assault. He emphasized that the speed and autonomy of modern systems increase the risk of errors, miscalculations and unintended tensions. “Technology must serve humanity, not the other way around,” Rattray said. He called for human oversight, transparent accountability mechanisms and security measures that keep seafarers and affected communities at the center of policy discussions. Rattray also noted that only a limited number of countries possess the capacity to evaluate and detect misuse of emerging technologies, a weakness that could undermine global resilience. He urged the Security Council to broaden its agenda to include maritime security, terrorism, and threats from state and non‑state actors. The remarks were made during the Security Council’s discussion on the implications of new technologies for maritime security, underscoring the need for international cooperation and robust governance frameworks to manage the dual-use nature of these innovations.
Article and image source: Haberler