UK has 'vision for free, open and secure Indo-Pacific', Defence Secretary says

The Defence Secretary has said the "UK has a vision for a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific" during a UN debate on maritime security.

Ben Wallace described the region, outlined as an area of importance in the Integrated Review, as "the world’s growth engine".

Home to half the global population and "40% of GDP", Mr Wallace said while "offering some of our biggest opportunities", the Indo-Pacific also posed great challenges. 

"Whatever happens there, matters to the world," he said.

"And that is why you'll find the UK more persistently engaged and increasingly proactive in the region."

His comments came during a UN Video Tele-Conference open debate on the theme 'Enhancing maritime security: a case for international co-operation'.

The Defence Secretary also used the debate to condemn Iran for violating international law by attacking a tanker last month – with the attack killing one British and one Romanian national.

On 29 July, a Liberia-flagged vessel was attacked, with UK and international assessments concluding Iran was behind the attack.

Watch: Tanker attack – Iranian ambassador summoned to Foreign Office.

"It is a clear violation of international law by Iran," Mr Wallace said.

"Not only does an attack of this nature threaten global commerce, the safety of shipping, the lives of seafarers and the region's marine environment, but it undermines the rules-based system on which our shared peace and security depends."

Following the attack, NATO called on Iran to "respect its international obligations", however, Iran denied involvement in the attack  –which took place off the coast of Oman.

And Mr Wallace said that "at a time of growing anxiety", it is important UN nations "stand in solidarity to shore up" maritime security.

"Because the rules-based international order is not self-perpetuating and the multilateralism of this place is not an alternative to, but an extension of, our nations' determination and ability to proactively maintain it," he said.

The Defence Secretary outlined three ways to maintain maritime security.

Mr Wallace said nations must call "out hostile state activity and unacceptable behaviour at sea" and "promote the rights and freedoms" of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Finally, he said nations must "go beyond traditional security" and do what they can to "protect our climate".

"I have increased confidence that regional and international co-operation is not just possible, but the only means of enhancing maritime security," he said.