Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 12) - Opening remarks

ADDRESS OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AT THE OPENING OF THE 12TH SESSION OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON POLLUTION PREVENTION AND RESPONSE (PPR 12), 27 to 31 January 2025

Delivered by IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez on 27 January 2025

Good morning distinguished delegates,

It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the 12th session of the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response. 

Before I proceed, it is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of our dear former colleague, Mr. Dandu Pughuic who passed away at the end of December 2024.

Dandu was an integral part of the IMO family - a highly respected and cherished colleague who dedicated 16 years of service to the Organization before retiring in 2016. He began his journey with IMO in 2000 as Chief Technical Adviser for the GloBallast Project in the Marine Environment Division (MED). In this role, he was instrumental in launching the project, championing Ballast Water Management with unwavering leadership and commitment. Dandu’s career within the Marine Environment Division continued culminate in his role as Senior Deputy Director of the Subdivision for Implementation. He retired in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, professionalism, and impact. Mr. Dandu was not only a competent and dedicated professional but also a kind and personable colleague towards all who had the privilege of working with him. 

We also mourn our esteemed colleague, from the IOPC Funds and a former member of our IMO family, Mr. Thomas Liebert, who passed away last week. Thomas was an integral part of the IOPC family for nearly 15 years, having joined in 2010 as Head of External Relations and Conference Department. Thomas was always deeply committed to the work of the Organization and the oil spill community, having previously worked at IMO as a technical officer in the Marine Environment Division. He was particularly passionate about promoting the 2010 Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) Convention and worked tirelessly to encourage more States to ratify the 2010 HNS Protocol throughout his time at the Funds. His kindness, warm personality, and a sense of humour left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of working with him. I am sure that I speak for all of us present here when I say that our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. I extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to all friends, and colleagues at IOPC and IMO.

I would now like to invite the Sub-Committee to observe a minute of silence to pay tribute to Mr. Dandu Pughuic and Mr. Thomas Liebert.

[One minute of silence observed]

Following serious casualties that have occurred at sea since December 2024, involving the loss of life, total losses or severe pollution - the latter being fully within the responsibility of this Sub-Committee - I would like to remind all Member States of their obligations in the effective implementation and verification of IMO instruments, necessary to reduce and eliminate these kind of accidents.

As I am sure that you are already aware, the release of the 25-member crew of the Galaxy Leader took place on Wednesday last week, after enduring over a year of captivity since they were taken hostage in November 2023 while transiting the Red Sea. This is a moment of profound relief for all of us - not only for the crew and their families, but also for the wider maritime community. 

I am grateful to all the Member States, regional entities, and international partners whose steadfast support and strategic engagement were pivotal in securing the crew’s freedom, and to ensuring their well-being. I wish to particularly acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of the Government of Oman in this regard. 

This breakthrough is a testament to the power of collective diplomacy and dialogue, recognizing that innocent seafarers must not become collateral victims in wider geopolitical tensions. It is also a return to operations in the Red Sea as we have been accustomed to, and upholding of the freedom of navigation.

IMO will continue to rigorously uphold its commitment to the safety of seafarers worldwide, who continue to face risks in their essential work.

Turning to the 2025 World Maritime Theme, "Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity" resonates strongly with the work of this Sub-Committee, which contributes directly to the development and implementation of IMO's robust global regulatory framework to ensure cleaner seas. 

The ocean sustains us, provides a home for a wealth of biodiversity and plays a critical role in regulating our planet's climate. Recognizing this, IMO, its Member States and the maritime industry have a central role in ensuring that the marine environment is protected and ocean resources remain sustainable.

You have, once again, a full agenda for this week.

A significant task before you is the review of the Action Plan to Address Marine Plastic Litter from Ships which provides us with an opportunity to consider the status of the actions, take stock of the work carried out thus far, and identify which areas require further work. Moreover, MEPC has agreed that a new action concerning the development of mandatory measures for plastic pellets transported by sea in freight containers should be added to the Action Plan.

With regard to marine biosafety, you should endeavour to finalize, at this session, the draft Guidance on the in-water cleaning of ships' biofouling, which represents a crucial component of the Organization's biofouling management framework and will complement the recently adopted 2023 Biofouling Guidelines. In-water cleaning is an important tool in this regard and the guidance will support the global availability of safe and environmentally responsible in-water cleaning services.

Moving on to the subject of prevention of air pollution by ships, at this session, you will consider proposed amendments to the guidelines for marine diesel engines fitted with selective catalytic reduction systems, with a view to improving their consistent implementation and ensuring that selective catalytic reduction systems facilitate compliance with the Tier III NOx limits more effectively.

I am confident that, under the expert guidance of your new Chair, Dr. Anita Mäkinen of Finland, [supported by your also new Vice-Chair, Ms. Stephanie Janneh of Togo,] as well as the staff of the Marine Environment Division together with the staff of the supporting divisions, you will be able to successfully achieve the objectives set for this session.

I wish you every success in your deliberations; and I invite you all to join me and the Secretariat at the welcome reception in the Delegates' Lounge after the close of today's business. 

Thank you.

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