First Sea Lord Opening Remarks at International Sea Power Conference 2026.

The First Sea Lord welcomed delegates to the International Sea Power Conference 2026 in Norway, highlighting the symbolic significance of hosting the event aboard Britain’s most powerful warship. The location and venue were framed as a deliberate statement of alliance strength and UK commitment to maritime security. The conference was presented as an opportunity for nations to collaborate in protecting shared interests and exercising collective agency in defending critical maritime domains.

The First Sea Lord underscored the enduring and non-negotiable necessity of defending the sea, which sustains all nations through energy, trade, and data flows. Over 95% of global data travels via undersea cables, while energy resources such as oil and gas are extracted from beneath the ocean. Despite this dependence, public awareness of maritime vulnerabilities has diminished, creating a paradox of growing reliance alongside reduced visibility of risks.

Addressing global instability, the First Sea Lord described the current geostrategic environment as the most unstable in his 36-year military career. Conflicts in Europe, the Gulf, and other regions were cited as evidence of heightened tensions, though no predictions of imminent war were made. The focus was placed on the need for readiness and collective preparedness in response to these challenges.

The conference agenda was outlined to address key maritime regions including the Atlantic, Baltic, High North, Pacific, Mediterranean, and Black Sea. Discussions were set to draw lessons from the war in Ukraine, with contributions from General Zaluzhnyi, and emphasize the role of NATO and allied cooperation in safeguarding global trade choke points and maritime security.