Council, 133rd session (C 133) - Opening remarks

ADDRESS OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AT THE OPENING OF THE 133RD SESSION OF THE COUNCIL (C 133), 18 to 22 November 2024 

Delivered by IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez on 18 November 2024 

Good morning distinguished delegates,   

It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the 133rd session of the Council.  

As this is the first Council plenary session that is being live streamed to the public, I wish to welcome all those following us live online.  

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support you have shown throughout the first year of my tenure.  

First, I would like to express my deep sadness over the devastation caused by the recent natural disasters around the world and in particular, Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Trami, and most recently the severe flooding from heavy rainfall that hit Spain. I extend my heartfelt condolences for the tragic loss of so many lives.    

WIth regard to the situation afflicting the Red Sea and Black Sea, once again, I must address the pressing concern with the continued attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. These incidents not only threaten the safety and welfare of seafarers, but also carry significant implications for the stability of international shipping.  

We, as part of the IMO family, understand better than most that the global economy relies heavily on international shipping and the dedicated seafarers. These individuals, simply working to earn a living, and make our lives better, should not be subjected to any form of aggression or danger. 

The targeted attacks on seafarers are unacceptable and must end immediately. I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our united condemnation of these attacks. 

It has already been a year without the release of the MV Galaxy Leader and its crew. As I redouble my efforts towards their immediate release, I urge all parties to intensify your own efforts, through every available channel, to bring this deplorable situation to its rightful conclusion.  

I have recently visited several countries in the Red Sea region to discuss maritime security in the Red Sea and to facilitate ongoing communication and dialogue between all parties.  

Additionally, I am also concerned to learn of the attacks which occurred last month on ships in the Black Sea, negatively impacting seafarers and port workers. Let me repeat this, there is no justification for any attacks against international shipping regardless of motivation or cause. And I remain committed and available to facilitating dialogue among all parties involved.  

With regard to the work ahead this week, from the outset, I have emphasized my commitment to change - especially when it drives us toward our shared goals. I will continue to seek improvements and efficiencies both within the Organization and beyond, to better support you, the Member States, and all stakeholders.  

In this regard, I would like to highlight our renewed focus on multilingualism, in this session, we will present an analysis of the trial to translate all working paper annexes into working languages. I look forward to your insights and feedback on advancing our Strategic Framework for Multilingualism.  

Additionally, we are making strides toward enhanced data management and preparing for a significant upgrade of GISIS, which has been launched this September.  

Efforts to improve efficiencies across all areas continue - from restructuring and maximizing our financial resources to recruitment and optimizing building facilities - remain a priority, while investing in the Secretariat’s dedicated professional staff, who make all of this possible. 

I trust I can rely on your support as we address the important topics on our agenda this week including the revision of the Council’s Rules of Procedure in support of greater efficiency.  

Before I conclude, I would like to highlight that IMO, together with WISTA International, is currently conducting the 2024 Women in Maritime Survey. First launched in 2021 and held every three years, this global survey provides a comprehensive overview of women’s representation across various maritime sectors, capturing their roles and identifying key trends.  

The insights gathered will help shape future programs and policies to increase women’s participation in the industry and allow us to track progress toward gender equality across the maritime sector.  

I strongly encourage Member States, IGOs and NGOs to participate to ensure accurate and meaningful results. For any inquiries, the Survey Team will be available in the Delegates Lounge tomorrow during lunch break from 1.15 to 2.30 p.m. Please feel free to stop by with any questions. 

I am confident that, under the leadership of your Chair, Mr. Victor Jimenez Fernandez from Spain, and your Vice-Chair, Mrs. Amane Fethallah from Morocco, the Council will make significant progress. I have no doubt that your deliberations will lead to great success, and you can rely on the full support of the Secretariat.  

Thank you. 

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