Dhaka: Bangladesh is among 14 countries that have expressed their support for a Saudi Arabia-led multinational maritime defense alliance. The initiative aims to bolster collective maritime defense cooperation and safeguard freedom of navigation through key strategic waterways, including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the current signatories to the alliance include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia. The formation of this coalition was announced following a meeting hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Defense, which saw participation from chiefs of staff and representatives of friendly nations, along with the Delegation of the European Union to Saudi Arabia.
The meeting concluded with a joint declaration from the 14 participating countries, with other nations also expressing support and working through national procedures to join. The declaration remains open for additional interested states once they complete their national protocols.
The participants reinforced their commitment to establish the alliance, intending to enhance their ability to counter maritime security threats, protect international sea lanes, and promote global trade stability. The alliance represents a concerted effort to address threats to maritime navigation, including attacks on commercial vessels and infrastructure, which threaten global supply chains and economic stability.
The meeting, attended by representatives from 43 of the 51 invited countries and organizations, underscored the growing international interest in maritime defense cooperation. Discussions focused on the necessity of multilateral defense cooperation to mitigate threats and included reviews of the alliance's draft charter, organizational structure, and operational plans.
Saudi Arabia is set to serve as the founding and leading state of the alliance, hosting its headquarters. This leadership reflects international confidence in the Kingdom's role in fostering maritime security. The initiative is positioned as an open international effort, welcoming countries that share its objectives, with an emphasis on shared responsibility for the security of international sea lanes.
Military planners from prospective member countries will continue to work on finalizing the alliance's foundational procedures, including its charter and operational mechanisms, as they prepare for the official launch and commencement of operations. Saudi Arabia reiterated its commitment to the alliance, emphasizing its role in strengthening collective maritime security and the importance of international cooperation in addressing common maritime threats.