In a joint
statement, the founding states said growing threats to global maritime security
require stronger collective cooperation to protect freedom of navigation,
international trade routes and global energy supply lines through the Bab
al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The alliance
said it will operate in accordance with international law, United Nations
conventions and internationally recognized norms to enhance maritime security,
safeguard international shipping and protect shared maritime interests.
The
participating countries agreed to establish the alliance's Joint Command,
command-and-control centers, Joint Maritime Operations Center and General
Secretariat in Saudi Arabia as its principal executive bodies.
The
statement reaffirmed the founding members' commitment to the purposes and
principles of the UN Charter, international law and globally recognized
treaties and norms, describing maritime security as a shared responsibility
that requires close coordination to address common and transnational threats.
The
participating countries said they will continue completing their domestic legal
and constitutional procedures to formally accede to the alliance's charter.
Under the
agreement, members will expand cooperation in maritime security, intelligence
and information sharing, operational planning, joint exercises, training,
capacity building, lessons learned and joint maritime operations in accordance
with the alliance's charter.
The
statement stressed that the alliance is purely defensive in nature and is not
directed against any country, alliance or international organization. It said
all activities will be conducted in full compliance with international law,
respect for state sovereignty and the protection of freedom of navigation,
while participation in alliance activities and operations will remain a
sovereign decision for each member state.
The founding
members also invited other countries that share the alliance's objectives and
principles to join the charter, saying broader participation would strengthen
collective maritime security in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the
Gulf of Aden.
The
statement described the alliance as a strategic step toward enhancing maritime
security, deepening defense cooperation among its members and supporting
regional and global stability, while complementing international efforts to
preserve international peace and security.
Earlier on
Thursday, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt,
Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia endorsed the
alliance and welcomed agreement on its founding arrangements, while additional
countries expressed support and are completing their national procedures before
joining the initiative.
