The 34th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly opened on 24 November with Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez delivering his first Assembly speech since taking office. His remarks blended honesty, ambition and concern, as he reflected on his mission to “shake things up” at the IMO while guiding the maritime sector through geopolitical tension, environmental pressures and rapid technological change.
Strategic Priorities Amid Global Uncertainty
Dominguez acknowledged the challenging global climate facing shipping, noting conflicts, shifting trade routes and fast-paced technological transitions. He outlined his strategic priorities, emphasizing progress in safety, security, decarbonization, automation and visibility for the maritime sector. A core part of his plan is strengthening support for all IMO Member States, especially developing nations, through enhanced technical cooperation and capacity-building.
He also spoke strongly about the injustices faced by seafarers caught in geopolitical crises, citing the ongoing dangers in the Red Sea and Black Sea. Despite these difficulties, he reaffirmed shipping’s crucial role in keeping global trade and development running.
Achievements and Agenda for the New Biennium
Looking back at the past two years, Dominguez highlighted progress across the IMO’s key committees. Safety regulations, training standards and work on new fuels advanced through the Maritime Safety Committee. The Marine Environment Protection Committee continued pushing the global decarbonization agenda and addressed issues such as biofouling, underwater noise and marine litter. Legal, Facilitation and Technical Cooperation committees also made strides in digitalization, anti-fraud measures, seafarer protection and capacity-building.
The Assembly will now consider the revised IMO Strategic Plan for 2024–2029, the 2026–2027 budget, and major resolutions. These include the first comprehensive Capacity Development Strategy, new procedures for the IMO Audit Scheme and a proposal to strengthen multilingualism by adding Arabic as a working language.
Dominguez closed his address with a tribute to seafarers, praising their resilience as the backbone of global shipping. He noted internal reforms underway at IMO, from updated staff rules to a refreshed logo, all aimed at bringing “fresh energy” to the Organization. With a clear call for meaningful outcomes, he urged delegates to work collectively toward a safer, more sustainable and more inclusive maritime future.
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Source: Safety4Sea
