Pledge on maintaining the integrity of the International Law of the Sea – No Fees / No Tolls

October 12, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

“Straits used for international navigation are not only regional waterways but global lifelines. Their security and safety depend on respect for international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), on restraint by all parties, and on sustained multilateral cooperation.

“We emphasize the universal and unified character of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the constitution of the oceans whose provisions generally reflect customary international law, and which sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. We reiterate the need to maintain the integrity of the Convention.

“Disruptions to maritime routes—including in strategically vital waterways—have demonstrated the global consequences of disregard for these principles, including significant impacts on international trade, energy flows, supply chains, and food security.

“Introducing restrictions, conditions, discriminatory measures or other obstacles to lawful passage through straits used for international navigation would set a dangerous precedent for global strategic waterways. No State should impose discriminatory limits on the passage of ships through such waterways in a manner inconsistent with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS. This principle is vital for global security.

“We hereby pledge to:

1. Champion multilateral cooperation

We will work within and support international and regional institutions responsible for maritime governance, safety, and security, particularly the International Maritime Organization (IMO), recognizing that preserving a stable, open international maritime order based on the rule of law and international law is a shared global interest.

We support ongoing defensive and non-escalatory multilateral initiatives aimed at preserving the freedom of navigation.

2. Reject coercion and unilateral action

We reject any coercive or unilateral action seeking to undermine or circumvent the international order based on international law as reflected in the UNCLOS, as well as the existing legal framework governing international navigation.

3. Oppose measures that would hamper or impair lawful navigation

We oppose any measures, including the imposition of unlawful fees, tolls, discriminatory restrictions, prior authorization requirements or other conditions, that would hamper or impair lawful navigation, through straits used for international navigation, or alter the existing legal framework governing the right of passage established under international law of the sea, as reflected in UNCLOS.”

High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas announced the global pledge on 12 October 2026.

The pledge is now supported by all EU Member States and 33 countries from around the world: Australia, Bahrain, Benin, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cook Islands, Fiji, Gabon, Honduras, Iceland, Japan, Jordan, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Mauritania, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Palau, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, São Tomé and Príncipe, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Turkmenistan, the United Kingdom, and Yemen.