Polska w ONZ

27 kwietnia 2026 r. Polska wzięła udział w posiedzeniu Rady Bezpieczeństwa ONZ nt. bezpieczeństwa morskiego.

Tekst wystąpienia wygłoszonego przez Krzysztofa Szczerskiego, Stałego Przedstawiciela RP przy NZ w Nowym Jorku, dostępny jest poniżej.

Mr. President,

Thank you for convening today’s timely debate on maritime security. Poland aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union. We deliver following remarks in our national capacity.

Maritime security starts with safe navigation, but today that very foundation is under attack. When freedom of navigation is compromised, the resilience of the global economy and the integrity of international law begin to crumble. From the Strait of Hormuz to the Baltic Sea, we are witnessing a dangerous shift: the world’s most vital trade routes are being transformed into arenas of the warfare. Those are no longer regional issues. The consequences are global with the most severe impact on least developed countries and vulnerable societies.

Mr. President,

Poland is concerned about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, but there are no shortcuts here. Only a sustained de-escalation and a diplomatic solution can ensure lasting security. As a maritime nation we support all peaceful mechanisms aimed at protecting international shipping, global trade, and resilience of the supply chains. We welcome the initiative by the Secretary General to establish a task force to develop a diplomatic path for restoring the flow of fertilizer and humanitarian goods through the Strait of Hormuz. We express readiness to support its work and remain open to other relevant international initiatives.

At the same time Poland remains deeply alarmed by the activities of the Russian "Shadow Fleet" / “Clunker Fleet”. This is not just a fleet of old tankers; it is a floating financial lifeline for Putin’s war machine and a deliberate tool for circumventing international sanctions.

In the Baltic Sea, Russia has turned the seabed into a hybrid battlefield. Sabotaging undersea cables and energy pipelines has become a low-cost, high-impact instrument for Moscow, used to intimidate sovereign nations under the guise of "plausible deniability".

The European Union has already sanctioned nearly 600 vessels and entities related to the Shadow Fleet. We encourage broader international alignment with these efforts and increased pressure. Enhanced coordination and information-sharing, including within the United Nations framework, would be extremely useful in this regard. We also stress the importance of supporting flag states in building adequate maritime oversight capacities, while recalling their responsibilities under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Finally, we see value in strengthening global maritime governance through the International Maritime Organization, particularly in enhancing transparency in vessel registration and ensuring more effective compliance with existing rules.

Mr. President,

Maritime security is about safeguarding the foundations of international stability. Accountability is non-negotiable. Those who weaponize the seas and undermine the Law of the Sea must face the consequences, including through restrictive measures.

I thank you.