Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani represented Bahrain at the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) held in Azerbaijan. During the summit, Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani addressed the current international climate, stating, "We are meeting at a time of great uncertainty in the region and beyond." He emphasized that the maintenance of global connectivity depends significantly on the secure flow of sea, air, and data traffic. By focusing on these logistical arteries, the Foreign Minister urged participants to consider the requirements for regional stability. His comments addressed the vulnerability of these transit corridors within the broader framework of the conference proceedings.
Regional Stability and Security
Houthi militia launched missile and drone attacks against airports located in Riyadh, Abha, Jazan, and Najran during the week of the report. These strikes targeted infrastructure within Saudi Arabia, complicating the security environment for transit corridors in the region. Military officials identified the specific sites hit by the projectiles and unmanned aerial vehicles as the conflict reached these key Saudi Arabian transport hubs. The incidents occurred as international participants at the summit discussed the vulnerability of transit routes, including those near the Red Sea and the Bab Al Mandab. These aerial assaults on Saudi Arabian territory remain a primary point of concern for regional stability efforts addressed by delegates throughout the proceedings in Azerbaijan.
Impact on Global Navigation
Approximately 1,600 commercial ships have been blocked from transit due to current regional tensions. These interruptions to maritime traffic have left more than 23,000 sailors deprived of their freedom.
Bahrain, which currently serves as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, has sought international cooperation to address these disruptions. Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani, Foreign Minister of Bahrain, addressed the assembly regarding these challenges. He stated, "Over the past months, Bahrain alongside the Gulf Co-operation Council countries and Jordan have been subjected to unjustified attacks targeting our cities, infrastructure and people, without us being party to any war. This was in flagrant violation of the very principles upon which this conference was founded: respect for the sovereignty and unity of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, good neighbourliness, and the peaceful settlement of disputes."
Efforts to formalize a response to these security concerns resulted in the submission of UN Security Council Resolution 2817 of 2026. Bahrain introduced the proposal, which received support from 136 countries. The resolution focuses on the protection of transit routes and the preservation of international navigation rights in the face of ongoing regional instability.