Oman advocates for maritime security and open trade

MANILA: The Sultanate of Oman has firmly reaffirmed its stance on the critical importance of keeping global waterways open, emphasising that freedom of navigation is paramount to safeguarding international trade, energy security, and the global food supply.
Representing the Sultanate of Oman, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign Minister, led the Omani delegation at a ministerial meeting in the Philippine capital. The gathering marked the 50th anniversary of the landmark Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
Speaking during a session dedicated to 'Strengthening Maritime Security and Promoting Maritime Cooperation,' Sayyid Badr underscored that vital choke points — specifically the Strait of Hormuz — must remain entirely unobstructed and accessible to international shipping. He stated that these crucial routes must be kept free from any geopolitical measures that could hinder the seamless flow of global commerce.
'International law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), serves as the foundational bedrock for maritime safety,' Sayyid Badr stated.
He pointed to the collaborative framework currently utilised in the Strait of Malacca and Singapore as a prime example of how littoral states and international beneficiaries can successfully share collective responsibility to maintain safe shipping lanes.
The Foreign Minister expressed Oman's growing appreciation for its evolving partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). He noted that the core tenets of the TAC — mutual respect, international law, and peaceful coexistence — remain intensely relevant today. Oman remains fully committed to leveraging diplomatic dialogue to defuse regional conflicts and build long-term geopolitical stability.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Sayyid Badr held strategic bilateral discussions with key European counterparts to align economic and security goals.
In a meeting with the Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen, both nations found common ground on maritime security. The ministers jointly called for the restoration of unrestricted, smooth navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to shield vulnerable global supply chains.
Sayyid Badr also met with Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. They reviewed pressing regional developments and focused heavily on the necessity of de-escalating current tensions. Both agreed that keeping maritime corridors stable and predictable is vital for both regional peace and the broader global economy.