The Prime Minister’s Office said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron will convene around 40 countries in a virtual summit in Paris on 17 April to launch an international initiative aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting is intended to establish a multinational, defensive mission focused on restoring freedom of navigation and supporting the return of commercial shipping.
Sir Keir Starmer is due in Paris later on Friday for the summit, which the UK and France are chairing under the new Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative. The meeting follows recent diplomatic engagement with Gulf states and comes as governments seek to support a fragile ceasefire in the region.
The agenda includes maritime security cooperation, supply chain resilience and support for industry as leaders consider how to reopen and secure the shipping route over the longer term. The International Maritime Organisation is also expected to join discussions on the safety of seafarers and vessels.
Leaders launch maritime initiative
The Paris summit is set to bring together national leaders behind a coordinated response to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. The UK government said the meeting will formally establish an international mission focused on reopening the waterway and reassuring commercial shipping.
The initiative is being led jointly by the UK and France, with Sir Keir Starmer and President Macron chairing the virtual session. The government said the summit will complement ongoing diplomatic efforts intended to reinforce peace in the region.
- Host governments: The United Kingdom and France are jointly leading the summit discussions from Paris.
- Expected participation: Around 40 countries are due to join the virtual meeting on 17 April.
- Immediate purpose: Leaders are expected to agree the basis for an international maritime response focused on reopening the Strait.
Focus on reopening the shipping route
The government said the summit will concentrate on restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and securing maritime traffic over the longer term. Ministers are presenting the route’s reopening as necessary for the safe movement of trade and energy supplies.
Discussions are also expected to cover support for mine clearance operations and wider maritime reassurance measures designed to help vessels return when conditions allow. The proposed mission is being described by the government as strictly defensive in nature.
Summit Priorities
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| International summit | Scheduled for 17 April in Paris | The Prime Minister’s Office said world leaders will meet virtually under UK and French chairmanship. |
| Participating countries | Around 40 expected | The scale of attendance indicates broad international involvement in discussions on maritime access. |
| Mission purpose | Being established | The government said the initiative is intended to reopen the Strait and protect freedom of navigation. |
Economic and supply chain concerns
The government said leaders will discuss supply chains, industry support and the wider economic effects of disruption in the Strait. UK ministers are linking developments in the region to pressures on trade flows and household costs at home.
Sir Keir Starmer has been presented by Downing Street as focused on diplomatic, military and economic measures that support the ceasefire while reducing the impact on British incomes. The government also said partners are expected to increase engagement with the insurance industry to help commercial shipping resume when conditions permit.
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- Supply chains: Leaders are due to examine how disruption in the Strait affects the movement of goods and energy.
- Industry support: Governments are expected to discuss practical support for commercial operators and insurers.
- Domestic effect: Downing Street said the UK response is also aimed at limiting cost-of-living pressures on households.
International coordination and next steps
Planning is already underway for a combined military effort that would be deployed when conditions allow, according to the government. A multinational military planning summit is then due to take place at Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood next week.
While in Paris, Sir Keir Starmer and President Macron are also expected to hold a bilateral lunch covering support for Ukraine, illegal migration, growth and European security. The UK said these discussions will sit alongside the summit’s narrower focus on maritime access and commercial confidence.
Planned Follow-up Actions
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Military planning summit | Due next week in Northwood | Downing Street said partner countries will continue operational planning after the Paris meeting. |
| Insurance engagement | Expected to increase | Governments are preparing discussions with insurers to support the return of commercial shipping. |
| Mission posture | Defined as defensive | The proposed multinational effort is being framed by the government as protective rather than offensive. |
Prime Ministers Comments
Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister said;
“The unconditional and immediate reopening of the Strait is a global responsibility, and we need to act to get global energy and trade flowing freely again.”
“Emmanuel Macron and I are clear in our commitment to establish a multinational initiative to protect freedom of navigation.”
“We must reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance operations to ensure a return to global stability and security.”
The UK and France are using the Paris summit to gather international backing for a coordinated effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and support commercial shipping. With around 40 countries expected to join, the meeting is intended to move from diplomatic discussion to practical planning, including maritime protection, industry engagement and follow-up military coordination through the Northwood summit next week.
Sources: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street; The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP; GOV.UK press release published 16 April 2026.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
