Leaders from around 40 countries are set to join a summit aimed at restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. The meeting, co-hosted in Paris by Macron, will focus on security cooperation, supply chains and efforts to mitigate wider economic disruption
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to arrive in Paris to co-chair discussions under the newly formed Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative. The summit brings together international partners to coordinate a response to recent tensions affecting one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Talks are expected to centre on reinforcing a fragile ceasefire in the region and ensuring that shipping routes through the Strait are reopened and secured over the long term. Leaders will also examine how their efforts can complement ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at stabilising the situation.
The International Maritime Organisation will contribute to discussions, with a focus on the safety of seafarers and commercial vessels navigating the area. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical artery for global energy supplies, and disruption has raised concerns over economic impacts, including on fuel prices and supply chains.
The Prime Minister, who visited Gulf states last week, is expected to stress the importance of coordinated international action across diplomatic, military and economic fronts. The government has framed its involvement as part of wider efforts to support stability abroad while protecting households in the UK from rising costs linked to the crisis.
The Prime Minister is expected to tell the summit: “The unconditional and immediate reopening of the Strait is a global responsibility, and we need to act to get global energy and trade flowing freely again. Emmanuel Macron and I are clear in our commitment to establish a multinational initiative to protect freedom of navigation. We must reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance operations to ensure a return to global stability and security.”
Planning for a potential multinational mission is already underway, with officials indicating that any deployment would be defensive in nature. The proposed initiative is expected to include measures to reassure commercial operators and address risks such as maritime mines, which have been cited as a key concern for shipping companies.
A follow-up multinational military planning summit is scheduled for next week at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood. That meeting is expected to develop operational details for any coordinated response, subject to conditions on the ground.
Alongside military considerations, partners are also expected to explore engagement with the insurance sector to help accelerate the return of commercial shipping once conditions are deemed safe. Insurance costs and risk assessments have been a significant barrier to vessels re-entering the Strait.
The Paris meeting will also include a bilateral lunch between the Prime Minister and President Macron. Discussions are expected to extend beyond the Strait of Hormuz to cover broader issues, including European support for Ukraine, migration challenges, economic growth and efforts to strengthen regional security cooperation.
The initiative marks a coordinated effort by multiple governments to address both immediate security concerns and the longer-term economic implications of the disruption of a major global trade route.
