The UN Security Council will continue its strategic debate on maritime security next week. Bahrain is chairing an open debate on the topic. Much of the discussion is likely to be overshadowed by the tricky situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

However, there are broader issues at stake: How can the UN engage with maritime security and peace in a more sustained and strategic manner? In a new contribution for UNIDIR’s maritime security workstream I show that the UN faces gaps in coordination and analysis.

I propose reform steps, which are modest in ambition, but significant in impact. The UN’s approach would be stronger through:

• a thematic Security Council resolution,
• a Secretary General report,
• deeper in-house expertise,
• and mainstreaming the maritime security agenda.

Read the full text here.