The third planning meeting of the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition (MMDC) was held at the Western Fleet Command in Jeddah on Thursday, bringing together representatives from 39 brotherly and friendly countries in a major step toward activating the coalition, the Saudi Press Agency said on Friday.
Of the participating countries, 15 have signed the joint statement, while 13 have completed their national procedures, signed the MMDC charter, and formally announced their accession, marking the coalition’s effective transition into its institutional and operational activation phase. The remaining countries are continuing the necessary national procedures to join the coalition.
The development comes amid rapid progress in establishing the coalition’s institutional structure, including the appointment of a Saudi commander, an agreement for Pakistan to provide the deputy commander for its first term, and the designation of the coalition’s headquarters and adoption of its emblem. Organizational and planning frameworks, along with the reference manuals needed to launch its operations, are also being finalized.
The third planning meeting helped finalize practical arrangements to activate the coalition’s multinational bodies and command. This paves the way for receiving participating officers and personnel from member states and integrating them into the joint command and staff structure, joint maritime operations and coordination center, and coalition intelligence center. This progress will accelerate the development of the coalition’s operational capabilities and enhance its readiness to carry out its defense missions within its area of responsibility.
The transition to this phase represents an advanced step in building a sustainable, multinational maritime defense coalition, which aims to solidify the concept of collective maritime security, protect freedom of navigation and maritime routes and straits, and support the continuity of international trade and global supply chains.
With many countries completing their national procedures and the coalition beginning to activate its bodies and command, the MMDC is entering a new phase of joint action.
In this phase, efforts are shifting from building frameworks and structures to activating them and integrating member states' capabilities to achieve operational readiness and carry out the coalition's assigned missions.
This shift reflects the participating countries’ determination to build a maritime defense partnership capable of enhancing maritime security and stability, protecting freedom of navigation and shared interests, and contributing to the security and stability of the region and the international community, in accordance with the coalition’s charter, reference documents and international law.
