New York: Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi participated yesterday in an event on straits used for international navigation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In remarks during the event, the Minister of State said that international straits were of vital importance to the global economy and stability, noting that the consequences of disruption to navigation through a major strait extend far beyond the states directly concerned. He added that recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz had demonstrated this clearly for Qatar.
Dr. Al Khulaifi outlined four key points concerning straits used for international navigation. These focused on the need for the legal framework provided by UNCLOS to remain the starting point, for the interests of coastal states and states using the straits to be addressed through cooperation, for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to play an important supporting role, and for consideration to be given to how the international community should respond when a strait is unilaterally closed or navigation through it is seriously impeded. He noted that Qatar’s view is that the resumption of safe navigation should not depend on the resolution of every outstanding political dispute, as the two objectives can be pursued in parallel.
He said that the Strait of Hormuz, like any other strait used for international navigation, should be addressed through future solutions that combine respect for the Law of the Sea with a practical mechanism enabling navigation to be restored quickly.
He added that Qatar believes consideration should be given to developing an agreed roadmap setting out the steps to be followed in such circumstances. He said the roadmap should establish clear stages and defined timeframes.
