UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday described violations of the Law of the Sea as "unacceptable" during a press conference held in Cairo.

Referring to countries violating International Law regarding maritime agreements, Guterres stated categorically that any action not consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) should not be accepted. He further emphasized that "the rule of law must prevail over the rule of force," highlighting the need for all states to apply international rules.

Specifically, Guterres was asked: "What is the UN’s position on countries that violate international law in relation to Maritime Agreements?"

"Well, our position is very clear: violations of international law are unacceptable. And in relation to the situation at sea there is a UN convention on the Law of the Sea. And everything that is not compatible with the Convention on the Law of the Sea should not be respected and accepted. And [regarding] any other violations of international law we have been always been very clear, we must make sure that the force of the law prevails over the law of the force and it is true in any of the situations that you mentioned,", he said.