Page 23 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2024

The IMO Secretary-General describes his vision for the organisation's future, discusses
the state of emergency in the Red Sea and its effects on maritime trade, and highlights
the need to improve the public image of shipping. Finally, he refers to the efforts for
the green transition of shipping, the role that Generation Z will play in the evolution
of the sector, and the IMO’s initiatives to strengthen diversity and inclusion.

GEOPOLITICAL

TENSIONS HAVE

DRAMATIC

IMPACTS ON THE

SAFETY AND SECURITY

OF INTERNATIONAL

SHIPPING

IMO Secretary-General ❶ What is your vision for the Interna- Developing States and Least Devel-
Arsenio Dominguez tional Maritime Organisation? oped Countries.
My vision is for the IMO to excel as a transpar- • Our image: We need to enhance pub-
talks to ent, inclusive, and diverse institution as it works lic awareness and visibility of the IMO
Giannis Theodoropoulos to ensure a robust regulatory framework that and its work, given the pivotal role of
supports safe, secure, and environmentally shipping in global trade and economy.
friendly shipping. I will focus on delivering this • Our people: This involves attracting
through four main pillars. more people to work in the shipping
• Our work: We are committed to the sector, as well as cultivating a high-per-
successful delivery of our mandate, forming, motivated workforce in the
which covers a wide scope of issues, IMO Secretariat.
from maritime security and the safety
of seafarers to protecting the marine ❷ What do you consider the most sig-
environment, digitalisation and auto- nificant challenges of the shipping
mation, and the human element. industry for 2024?
• Our support: The IMO’s support for its Geopolitical tensions are having dramatic
176 Member States must be measura- impacts on the safety and security of inter-
ble and targeted to respond to coun- national shipping, with seafarers, ships, and
tries’ needs, particularly Small Island cargoes at risk. The attacks on international

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