David Ware’s Post

The QUAD has emerged as a cornerstone of regional stability, fostering cooperation and addressing pressing challenges in the Indo-Pacific. https://lnkd.in/gnMcWt6S

History of UN and The International Maritime Organisation : As World War II was about to end in 1945, nations were in ruins, and the world wanted peace. Representatives of 50 countries gathered at the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco, California from 25 April to 26 June 1945. For the next two months, they proceeded to draft and then sign the UN Charter, which created a new international organization, the United Nations. Four months after the San Francisco Conference ended, the United Nations officially began, on 24 October 1945 with 51 Founder members. There are 193 member states in the United Nations (UN), and 195 countries in the world: and 2 countries that are non-member observer states: the Vatican City and the State of Palestine. Several countries proposed that a permanent international body should be established to promote maritime safety more effectively, but it was not until the establishment of the United Nations itself that these hopes were realized. In 1948 an international conference in Geneva, Switzerland adopted a convention formally establishing IMO (the original name was the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization, or IMCO, but the name was changed in 1982 to IMO). The IMO Convention entered into force in 1958 and the new Organization met for the first time the following year, 1959. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has 176 member states and three associate members including Hongkong.

Together with the Permanent Representatives of Fiji 🇫🇯, Greece 🇬🇷 and Australia 🇦🇺 to the United Nations 🇺🇳 we had the pleasure to host a working lunch entitled, “Multilateral Approaches to Maritime Security: Challenges in the Pacific Islands Region: Outlook and Opportunities for Partnership”. Thank you very much to Christian Bueger for his insightful presentation. The meeting gathered diverse stakeholders to discuss #multilateral approaches to #maritimesecurity in the Pacific Islands region, given the increasing importance of maritime activity seen in the region. Discussions highlighted the following takeaways: 🔹 Linkages between blue crime, armed conflict and extremism in the maritime domain are a growing trend. Further, mega-trends such as climate change, digitalization and the expansion of maritime activity and trade will continue to shape multilateral maritime cooperation in the future. 🔹 Maritime security is deeply interconnected with security, environmental and economic development, and thereby a holistic approach to maritime governance is needed. The UN would benefit from a strategic approach to maritime security and ocean governance more broadly and better coordination of its activities. 🔹 Partnerships between the Pacific Island States and its global partners, such as the EU 🇪🇺 and Australia 🇦🇺 are key. 🔹 There is a need to enhance inter-regional exchange and dialogue on maritime security challenges to promote learning on shared challenges. 🔹 Call for a holistic approach to maritime security within the #UnitedNations Security Council, especially in light of the incoming Council members such as Greece in 2025. #multilaterlism #globalgovernance

The Treaty of Paris of 1763 and the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 are two very different treaties, separated by over 150 years, that had significant impacts on the geopolitical landscape. While they are not directly related, there are some interesting parallels that can be drawn: Both treaties were negotiated and signed in Paris, France, giving the city a key role in shaping the international order at two critical junctures. The Sykes-Picot Agreement divided up the Middle East between the British and French after World War I, while the Treaty of Paris in 1763 ceded French and Spanish territories in North America to Britain after the Seven Years' War. #Treaty of Paris

#Ethiopia hosts 2nd annual conference on #Red_Sea regional cooperation amid geopolitical shifts The Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) hosted the 2nd Red Sea Dialogue in #Addis_Abeba on 30 May, 2024. Themed "The Need for Regional Cooperation at a Time of Geopolitical Shifts," the forum brought together scholars, officials, and experts to discuss maritime security and economic opportunities in the Red Sea region. IFA Executive Director Jafar Bedru emphasized the region's economic potential and geopolitical importance due to major shipping routes like the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal. Key topics included security, seaport access, regional security gaps, and successful maritime cooperation models. https://lnkd.in/ez8b6dma

The Palau International Ship Registry (PISR) salutes the signing of a joint declaration between the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the United States of America, reaffirming the Compacts of Free Association and the strong relations between the countries. The completion of the new Compact-related agreements between the Freely Associated States, including Palau and the United States of America for the next 20 years, will further solidify the historic relations and long collaboration between Palau and the United States. The ceremony took place at the Palau Mission in New York, on the margins of the 79th United Nations General Assembly. Following the signing ceremony, President Whipps, President Simina, and President Heine met with US President Joe Biden at the United Nations to further discuss and commemorate the deep and enduring partnerships between the Freely Associated States and the United States. The leaders reaffirmed their dedication to working closely to promote security, prosperity, and sustainable development across the Pacific. 👉🏼 Learn more about the Compact of Free Association between the Republic of Palau and the United States at: https://bit.ly/3zKESbT #Palau #US #FreelyAssociatedStates #PalauInternationalShipRegistry #BlueRegistry #SmartRegistry #MaritimeIndustry #COFA #CompactofFreeAssociation

Island nations scattered across the Pacific Ocean are at the center of an intensifying competition between China and the US for maritime routes, deep-water ports and other strategic assets in what the Lowy Institute calls a new “Great Game.” The countries’ proximity to key shipping lanes and the communication cables that criss-cross the Pacific floor, together with fisheries and seabed minerals, also encourage the rivalry, Lowy said in a report on Wednesday. But it’s the region’s maritime location between Asia, North America and Australia that is set to keep it at the forefront of major powers’ defense strategies. “The Pacific’s geopolitical landscape is increasingly crowded, with multiple powers vying for influence,” report authors Mihai Sora, Jessica Collins and Meg Keen said. “China is expanding its reach through diplomatic relations, infrastructure projects, and development finance, while traditional partners such as Australia and the US strive to maintain their influence.” That’s a significant turnaround for island leaders who used to complain that western nations didn’t pay enough attention to the region.

This morning, the Government of Canada launched its new Arctic Foreign Policy. Lisa Qiluqqi Koperqualuk, President of ICC Canada, commented on the policy in Global Affairs Canada's press release: "Effective partnerships for a stronger, flourishing Arctic rely on co-development with Inuit, whether it be at home or abroad. Removing barriers for Inuit to connect with each other across borders and strengthening institutions, including the Arctic Council, are examples of what lies ahead. The Arctic Foreign Policy and policies like it must uphold Inuit self-determination, including our full and effective participation. We look forward to the work ahead with the federal government to make this happen.” Read the press release and the new policy here: https://lnkd.in/gkb8dSb2

The Indo-Pacific region stands as a critical arena for global security and geopolitical dynamics. Europe, driven by trade, economic interests, and broader international order concerns, has significantly increased its maritime engagement in recent years. While traditionally France and Great Britain have held notable maritime presence in Asia, the European Union as a whole is stepping up its involvement. However, challenges persist, hindering the expansion of European maritime power. The EU's initiatives, such as Maritime Domain Awareness and Coordinated Maritime Presence, primarily target the Western Indo-Pacific.   This guest paper by Marianne Peron-Doise delves into Europe's objectives in the region, the hurdles it faces, and strategies for further contribution to maritime security. This brief is part of a series titled “What the Indo-Pacific means to Europe,” edited by HCSS analysts Paul van Hooft and Benedetta Girardi, with contributions from Alisa Hoenig. https://lnkd.in/eEgnimVU

The High Seas is a Global Challenge for our Planet! We have to strengthen the dynamic « science to policy » and reach the target of 60 countries that ratified the BBNJ Treaty for the #UNOC3 #BBNJ Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères