United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged nations worldwide to uphold international law and intensify cooperation, warning that maritime security is increasingly threatened by global instability. Addressing an open debate of the UN Security Council, Guterres highlighted the rising global threats to maritime security, including piracy, armed robbery, terrorism, and cyberattacks, particularly in hotspot areas such as the Red Sea, the Strait of Malacca, and the Gulf of Guinea. He urged all nations to adhere to international law, especially the UN Charter and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to resolve differences and meet their obligations. "Respect for international law is the anchor of maritime security. The international legal regime for maritime security, with the UN Charter and the Convention on the Law of the Sea at its core, strikes a careful balance between states' sovereign rights, jurisdictions and freedoms, and their duties and obligations. And it provides a strong cooperative framework for addressing crimes at sea and ensuring accountability. However, this framework is only as strong as states' commitment to full and effective implementation. All states must live up to their obligations, and they must resolve any differences in relation to maritime security in accordance with the UN Charter," said Guterres. He also called for greater partnerships to enhance maritime security. As threats to maritime security are becoming more complex and interconnected, enhanced coordination and stronger maritime governance are essential, said Guterres. No region is spared. And the problem is getting worse. After a modest global decrease in reported piracy and armed robbery incidents in 2024, the first quarter of 2025 saw a sharp upward reversal, warned the UN chief. Reported incidents rose by nearly half (47.5 percent) compared with the same period in 2024, he said, citing figures from the International Maritime Organization. SHOTLIST: FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - July 24, 2024 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 1. Various of UN headquarters, flags; UN flag, logo; UN Headquarters, New York City - May 20, 2025 2. Various of UN Security Council open debate in progress 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General: "Respect for international law is the anchor of maritime security. The international legal regime for maritime security, with the UN Charter and the Convention on the Law of the Sea at its core, strikes a careful balance between states' sovereign rights, jurisdictions and freedoms, and their duties and obligations. And it provides a strong cooperative framework for addressing crimes at sea and ensuring accountability. However, this framework is only as strong as states' commitment to full and effective implementation. All states must live up to their obligations, and they must resolve any differences in relation to maritime security in accordance with the UN Charter."; FILE: Hodeidah, Yemen - 2024 4. Various of vessels, port. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland/For news purpose only/No archive/Not for other production use]