Iran Actively Engages in Extraordinary MEPC Session
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) met for its 2nd extraordinary session in person at IMO Headquarters in London (with remote participation enabled) from 14 to 17 October 2025. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Harry Conway (Liberia), with Mr. Hanqiang Tan (Singapore) as Vice-Chair.
PMO News Portal - The extraordinary session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC/ES.2) has officially convened, following the outcomes of the 83rd MEPC meeting held in May 2024. The focus of the current session is the final adoption and operationalization of a newly drafted amendment introducing mandatory regulations for carbon emission taxation on ship fuel as part of the global net-zero framework.
The session brings together representatives from IMO member states, international organizations, consultative NGOs, and key stakeholders in the global maritime transport sector.
Iran’s Participation and Official Position
Seyed Ali Mousavi, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), attended the opening session due to the strategic importance of the agenda. Delegates from Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) are actively contributing to technical negotiations and policy discussions, articulating Iran’s standpoint on key regulatory issues.
On the first day, Iran’s official statement was delivered by Pouria Kolivand, PMO representative and Deputy Permanent Representative of Iran to the IMO. While expressing support for international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Iran emphasized concerns over the disproportionate and inequitable impacts such measures may impose on developing countries. The Iranian delegation proposed mechanisms for financial support, capacity-building initiatives, and enhanced international technical cooperation, particularly for least-developed states.
National Preparations Ahead of the Session
In preparation for MEPC/ES.2, the PMO—led by the Directorate General of Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection—held a series of coordination meetings with stakeholders from shipping companies, classification societies, subsidiaries of the Ministry of Petroleum, the Department of Environment, the Union of Iranian Shipowners, and the Association of Commercial Seafarers.
The Iranian delegation, comprising representatives from the PMO and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), is attending the session in person and is expected to maintain active engagement in specialized committees and technical negotiations throughout the meeting.
Global Regulatory Outlook
MEPC/ES.2 is widely regarded as one of the most consequential marine environmental events in recent years. The decisions reached during this session are anticipated to shape the future trajectory of international maritime regulations related to greenhouse gas emission reduction.
The Committee is expected to finalize the adoption of the net-zero emissions framework and establish a timeline for its implementation by the end of the current week.
