Technical Cooperation Committee (TC), 73d session, 16-19 October 2023 (closing remarks)
Technical Cooperation Committee (TC), 73d session, 16-19 October 2023 (closing remarks)
Closing remarks by Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, IMO
Thank you, Mr. Chair,
Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, and observers,
As you have come to the end of seventy-third session of your Committee, I would like to thank you for your active participation, invaluable contributions and comments during this very busy meeting.
Your Committee, in its deliberations, provided a favourable assessment of the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) delivery for the year 2022, and granted approval to the forthcoming ITCP for the biennium of 2024-2025.
Your Committee noted the steadfast progress which has been maintained in the implementation of the Resource Mobilization Strategy. This has resulted in the securing of essential resources vital for the fruition of the ITCP, alongside the sustained backing of long-term thematic projects.
Our sincere gratitude goes out to all those who joined the launch of our latest publication, titled "All Hands on Deck". We encourage you to share this brochure with the esteemed members of the international maritime community. This publication serves as a critical platform for the Committee's future strategic endeavours, highlighting the importance of technical cooperation for our organisation.
I am confident that the IMO Women in Maritime Associations will be equally pleased with the approval of the Global Strategy to help shape the future landscape of women in the maritime sector.
I look forward to the favourable consideration and approval of all your proposals by the Council at its 130th session.
Distinguished delegates,
All this good work and achievement would not have been possible without your cooperation and collaboration and indeed the overwhelming support you gave to your very able newly elected Chair, H.E. Mr. Dwight Gardiner of Antigua and Barbuda.
His calmness, patience and outstanding leadership have been demonstrated in full swing, smoothly navigating challenging discussions at times with many agenda items and tight schedule, but still delivered to the high standards expected from this Committee. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
You also elected a new Vice-Chair, and congratulations are in order to both the Chair and Ms. Anays Berrocal of Panama, who brings her experience as a delegate to our diverse team.
I wish to also convey my special thanks to the Committee's officers and all staff of the Technical Cooperation Division led by the Director, Mr. Xiaojie Zhang, for their collective effort and hard work.
I would also like to thank the staff of the Conference Division, and in particular the interpreters. And of course, the staff from the cafeteria, who kept you energized during your deliberations.
Distinguished delegates,
Last but not least, we say farewell and whole-heartedly thank IMO colleagues who have retired in the past few months namely:
Mr. William Azuh – Deputy Director of Maritime Development Sub-division and Head, Africa and Middle East and Mediterranean Section
Mr. Jonathan Pace – Deputy Director of the Programme Management and Coordination Sub-division.
Mrs. Christine Monnasson-Edwards – Programme Officer, Africa and Middle East Section.
Mr. Colin Young – Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean.
Please join me in thanking the retired staff for their unfailing commitment and services to the Organization and wish them well for a long, happy and healthy retirement.
Distinguished delegates,
I would like to convey my heartfelt appreciation for your valuable input and contributions during this TC meeting. Your insights, as always, will continue to shape the direction of our technical cooperation and capacity-building initiatives.
In closing, I extend my best wishes for a safe journey back to your duty stations as I look forward to welcoming you again at the 33rd session of Assembly of the Organization in just over a month.
Thank you, Mr. Chair