The United Nation’s shipping agency, International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council on Tuesday appointed Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco of the Republic of Panama as the next Secretary-General for an initial 4-year term (2024-2027).
Dominguez emerged winner after a secret ballot vote that that involved six other contenders Moin Uddin Ahmed (Bangladesh), Suat Hayri Aka (Turkey), Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry (Dominica), Nancy Karigithu (Kenya), Minna Kivimäki (Finland), and Zhang Xiaojie (China). He will take office on January 1, 2024, for a four-year term, subject to the approval of the IMO Assembly.
As kickoff journey towards moving the industry forward, the new Secretary General of the IMO will be faced with the new targets agreed under the 2023 Strategy on the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Shipping just over a week ago.
“It has been a great pleasure and privilege to work with Kitack Lim over the past eight years. Kitack steered the International Maritime Organization (IMO) successfully through challenging times, calmly and with direction, and everyone at the International Chamber of Shipping wishes Kitack every success in his future endeavours,” Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping, said.
“We look forward to working with Mr Arsenio Dominguez (Panama), and know that Mr Dominguez will lead with equal measures of authority, purpose and compassion. The position of IMO Secretary General is not an easy one, and there are undoubtedly challenges ahead as the industry strives to meet the 2030, 2040 and 2050 targets, but it will be a pleasure to tackle these challenges head on with Mr Dominguez for a better and safer future for our industry and its people.”
Domínguez Velasco, has over 25 years of experience in maritime sector, and been ambassador and representative Panama permanent at the IMO. He held the position of Chairman of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the same International Maritime Organization and is currently Director of the Marine Environment Protection Division of the IMO.
