New York, April 27 (QNA) - United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres said that ensuring the security of global waterways has become a fundamental test for the current international system, stressing that their stability is a cornerstone of global security and peace.

This came during his speech on Monday at the UN Security Council open debate titled, "The safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain," convened at the invitation of Bahrain, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council this month.

Maritime routes have historically been vital arteries for global trade and energy flows among continents, said Guterres, yet today they face increasing pressure due to rising piracy, armed robbery, and terrorist acts targeting commercial vessels.

The UN Secretary-General noted that geopolitical tensions are casting a shadow over the maritime environment, with commercial shipping being exploited as a tool of political pressure, undermining internationally guaranteed navigation rights.

In a joint statement issued at the end of the Security Council session, participating countries renewed their call for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The statement affirmed support for Security Council Resolution 2817 and condemned Iranian actions, including the closure of the strait and attacks on neighboring countries.

It stressed that closing the strait has sent Shockwaves through energy markets and supply chains far beyond the region, particularly affecting fragile economies and populations suffering from food insecurity.

Read by Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani before the Council, the statement rejected any attempt to impose fees or restrict passage through the strait, describing such measures as violations of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. (QNA)