IMO Kicks Off the 34th Assembly with Strong Iranian Delegation Presence
The 34th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly officially opened in London with the participation of a high-level delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran, led by the Managing Director of the Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO).
During the opening ceremony, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez outlined the Assembly’s key agenda items, including discussions on the organization’s strategic objectives, mandates, and long-term vision. He highlighted the adoption of several resolutions across IMO’s core missions, with a particular focus on strategic directions and the effective implementation of maritime regulations.
Dominguez commended the work of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) over the past two years, noting their significant contributions to improving maritime safety and reducing marine pollution worldwide. He reiterated the IMO’s commitment to supporting all member states and stressed the importance of enhanced technical cooperation to advance global efforts to reduce carbon emissions from ships.
In a one-hour meeting of heads of delegations from IMO’s 176 member states, the Assembly elected new leadership for the 34th session. The French representative to the IMO was chosen to serve as President of the Assembly for a two-year term. The representatives of Morocco and the Maldives were elected as the first and second Vice Presidents, respectively. Representatives from Barbados and Thailand were also appointed as chairs of the Assembly’s First and Second Committees.
The Assembly will continue its work over the coming days, addressing major global maritime issues including safety, environmental protection, decarbonization, and international regulatory consistency.
