IMO Secretary-General ने अंतरराष्ट्रीय जलमार्गों में नेविगेशन की स्वतंत्रता को बनाए रखने की अपील की

<h2>Overview</h2> <p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="International Maritime Organization — a specialized UN agency that sets global standards for safety, security and environmental performance of shipping (GS2: Polity)">IMO</span> Secretary‑General <strong>Mr. Arsenio Dominguez</strong> addressed the <span class="key-term" data-definition="UN Security Council — one of the six principal organs of the United Nations responsible for maintaining international peace and security (GS2: Polity)">UN Security Council</span> in 2026, urging all States to respect the principle of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Freedom of navigation — the right of ships to move through international waters without undue restriction, a cornerstone of maritime law (GS2: Polity)">freedom of navigation</span>. He warned against any tolls, fees or discriminatory measures on vessels transiting <span class="key-term" data-definition="Straits used for international navigation — narrow passages that connect two larger bodies of water and are essential for global trade, e.g., Strait of Hormuz (GS2: Polity)">straits</span> that are vital for world commerce.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>IMO Secretary‑General reiterated that the principle of freedom of navigation is “not negotiable”.</li> <li>He called for a universal ban on tolls, fees, or discriminatory transit measures in international straits.</li> <li>The statement was made during a UN Security Council debate on “The safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain”.</li> <li>Emphasis was placed on compliance with <span class="key-term" data-definition="International law — a set of rules, treaties and conventions governing relations between sovereign states, including maritime law (GS2: Polity)">international law</span> to ensure unhindered trade.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>• The IMO, founded in 1948, has 175 member States and works through conventions such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).<br> • Freedom of navigation is enshrined in UNCLOS Article 87, guaranteeing the right of innocent passage for all vessels.<br> • Any unilateral imposition of fees on straits could disrupt global supply chains, affecting energy security and trade balances.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>Understanding the role of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="International Maritime Organization — a specialized UN agency that sets global standards for safety, security and environmental performance of shipping (GS2: Polity)">IMO</span> and the legal framework of <span class="key-term" data-definition="International law — a set of rules, treaties and conventions governing relations between sovereign states, including maritime law (GS2: Polity)">international law</span> is essential for GS2 (International Relations) and GS3 (Economy) questions on maritime trade, energy security, and global governance. The stance on freedom of navigation also ties into strategic studies of s