TASAM | DECLARATION OF THE TURKISH NAVAL POWER

7^th MARINE AND MARITIME SECURITY FORUM
Turkish Naval Power from Seas to Oceans

The 7th Marine and Maritime Security Forum, with the main theme of "Turkish Naval Power from Seas to Oceans," was jointly organized by TASAM National Defence and Security Institute as a co-event of the 11th Istanbul Security Conference, held on November 27, 2025, at the Wish More Hotel Istanbul.

The Forum attracted speakers and dignitaries from various countries and regions, representing diverse fields and sectors. Diplomatic representatives and delegations from different countries were also present. Local and international experts, academics, and diplomats delivered speeches and presentations. Relevant authorities from Turkey, Asia, Europe, America, and Africa were also represented at the Forum, and all sessions were followed institutionally.

The following important topics were discussedat the forum: “New Perspectives and Regional Studies in Maritime Geopolitics“, “Contemporary Threats and Maritime Crimes in Naval Security“, “Current Trends in the Use of Turkish Naval Diplomacy“, “Current Concepts in Maritime Capacity Building“, “New Opportunities in Maritime Geoeconomics and Turkey“, “Ocean Policies“, “Environmental Security in Maritime Studies“, “Digitalization Era and Emerging Threats in Global Maritime“, “Use of Seas in Disaster Response and Maritime Bridge Strategies“, “Marine Geoculture“, “Energy Potential of the Seas and its Sustainable Use“.

The Forum decided that the following findings and recommendations should be brought to the attention of all relevant authorities and the public, within a vision that will further advance the current achievements and institutional capacities of all countries:

Seas are one of the fundamental spatial elements of the global system, encompassing approximately seventy percent of the Earth 's surface, with a large portion of the population living in coastal regions and most states having access to the sea. The fact that a very large part of world trade and energy transportation takes place over the seas makes maritime areas indispensable from an economic and strategic perspective. These characteristics make the seas not just a transportation route, but an arena that shapes the global order.
Historically, the seas have played a decisive role in the rise and fall of empires , and have been among the primary factors influencing the outcome of wars . In this respect , the seas are considered not only geographical but also cultural and civilization - building areas. Today, their influence on defense, security, and foreign policy continues.
Maritime security refers to a peaceful order in which risks and threats are controlled, navigation and trade are conducted safely, and environmental balance is protected. This concept encompasses not only military threats but also environmental, economic, and humanitarian risks. Therefore, maritime security is considered a multi - dimensional policy area.
The open and transnational nature of maritime areas makes it difficult for states to combat threats in this area alone. Problems such as smuggling, illegal immigration, environmental pollution, maritime accidents, and competition necessitate cooperation. In this context, maritime security stands out as an area requiring international networks and joint mechanisms.
While statistics highlighting the importance of the seas could be greatly increased, fundamentally, the surface of the water is a system of routes through which people, commercial goods, money, information, and cultures are constantly transported for societies. Therefore, there is no landmass on Earth that is not in contact with or interacts with the geography of waters in terms of security, economic, socio-cultural, legal, and psychosocial contexts. This is also true for human communities whose natural habitat is landmasses. Even people living in countries completely landlocked, with no borders with oceans or seas, interact with the geography of waters (hydrosphere) through climate, vegetation, and trade. This interaction has been the fundamental motivation driving civilization towards the seas for centuries.
Turkey's location, surrounded by seas on three sides, its long coastline, and its hosting of strategic straits make its maritime geopolitics extremely sensitive. Power rivalries, energy competitions, and maritime jurisdiction disputes in the Black Sea, Aegean Sea, and Eastern Mediterranean present significant risks and opportunities for Turkey. This situation has led to the seas occupying a central place in Turkey's security and foreign policy agenda.
At the same time, in Turkey, a country with a geography consisting of two peninsulas and surrounded by seas on six sides, the vast majority of the workforce is concentrated in coastal cities. Approximately 60% of Turkey's Gross National Product (GNP) is generated through trade relations in coastal cities. Furthermore, approximately 95% of industrial production, raw material and manufactured goods exports and imports are carried out via sea through coastal cities. Most of Turkey's arable land is located on or near the coast, in areas connected to the sea. It should also be noted that the infrastructure facilities for tourism, a sector with a significant share in Turkey's GNP and often referred to as the "Smokeless Industry," are also mostly located in coastal areas and regions close to the sea. All this information shows that Turkey cannot turn its back on the sea, that it lives intertwined with it, and that its dependence on the sea is evident not only in political, military, and economic activities, but also in natural disasters and humanitarian aid operations.