France and the United Kingdom brought together 51 countries on 17th April 2026 for an international summit focused on securing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which a substantial share of the world’s energy supply and maritime trade passes. The meeting, co-chaired by President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, produced a unified statement of intent and a concrete new security initiative with broad international backing.
The summit reflected the growing concern among Western and allied governments about disruption to global energy security and supply chains stemming from the conflict in the region. The joint statement made clear that the assembled nations view unrestricted passage through the strait as a legal right and an economic necessity, describing freedom of navigation as ‘the bedrock of international trade.’
Among the headline developments was the welcome announcement that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen, a development the co-chairs said must endure. The disruption to global energy markets, financial stability and the supply of essential goods had been particularly acute for the world’s poorest communities, and both leaders emphasised the urgency of a durable resolution.
A new multinational defensive mission
France and the United Kingdom confirmed at the summit that they are establishing a jointly led multinational mission to protect merchant vessels in the strait. The mission will be strictly defensive in nature, operating in full accordance with international law and in consultation with relevant states. Alongside vessel protection, it will conduct mine clearance operations once conditions allow, following a sustainable ceasefire agreement.
Nations contributing to the mission may do so through military assets, logistical support, financial contributions or political solidarity. The United Kingdom will host the next leaders’ meeting in this format, signalling London’s intention to maintain the diplomatic momentum generated by the April summit. Military planning is to be coordinated jointly by the UK and France with contributing nations.
Broad international backing
The breadth of support for the initiative underscored its significance. Following the publication of the joint statement, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Denmark, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Somalia, Cyprus, Poland, Belgium, Italy, Canada, Bahrain, North Macedonia, Latvia, Greece, Iceland, Australia, Montenegro and Lithuania all confirmed they had joined the declaration. The participation of nations from Europe, the Indo-Pacific and the Gulf reflects the extent to which the security of the strait is understood as a shared global interest rather than a regional concern.
The assembled nations also confirmed their support for the International Maritime Organisation’s work on seafarer safety, and committed to engaging with shipping operators, insurers and industry bodies to help resume commercial operations as soon as conditions permit. Protectionist responses were explicitly ruled out, with participating countries pledging to coordinate their economic responses instead.
Diplomacy and economic stability
Macron and Starmer used the summit to reiterate their support for a comprehensive diplomatic settlement to the underlying conflict. ‘Diplomacy must prevail,’ the joint statement read, with both leaders committing the UK, France and their partners to draw on collective diplomatic, economic and military capabilities in pursuit of that outcome. The tone was firm but measured, with the emphasis placed on stabilisation rather than escalation.
For the global business community, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz carries immediate practical significance. The waterway is a critical artery for energy shipments from the Gulf region, and its disruption had begun to feed through into freight costs, insurance premiums and energy price volatility. The establishment of a formal protective mission backed by more than two dozen nations offers a degree of reassurance to shipping operators and the broader markets that depend on the reliable flow of goods through one of the world’s most consequential sea lanes.