Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday proposed creating a special agency within the United Nations to combat maritime crime.

Attending a UN Security Council maritime security conference, Putin noted the many threats on sea routes and the necessity to more effectively counter transnational crime and prevent the use of the seas and oceans for criminal purposes.

In order to achieve this goal, the Russian president said “it is necessary to unite the efforts of both all interested states and international organizations, regional agencies, with the central coordinating role of the UN and its Security Council."