Tehran, Dec 8 (MRUD NEWS) - International Maritime Organization (IMO) is hosting 32th summit of IMO Assembly. The summit is being held via webinar from 6 to 15 December 2021 and it is attended by 174 member states. 

The 2021 World Maritime Day theme is “Seafarers: at the core of shipping's future”. The theme reflects a clear need to raise awareness of seafarers' vital role in world trade and increase their visibility.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, in his opening speech, outlined the accomplishments of the Organization for the past two years and highlighted that through the pandemic, sustainable transport will be at the heart of global recovery. Antonio M. Lagdameo, Philippine ambassador to the United Kingdom and permanent Representative to the IMO was elected as president of the 32nd IMO Assembly during the opening summit.  

The head of Iranian delegation for the 32nd summit is Ali Akbar Safaei, Deputy Minister of Transport and Urban Development and Managing Director of the Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO). Also Iran’s representatives at the IMO Headquarters in London, as organization's permanent representatives in IMO, along with an expert at the embassy, attend the summit.

Ali Akbar Safaei presented Iran’s statement in which he criticized the US unfair sanctions against Iranian shipping industry and added “…we demand the US to be accountable to the international maritime community, and cease such measures immediately…The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns such measures threatening maritime safety and security, which brazenly violate the spirit governing maritime treaties, principles of international law, and Articles 1 and 2 of the IMO Convention”.

The Assembly is IMO's the highest governing body. It is responsible for approving the work programme and budget; and determining financial arrangements and electing the IMO Council. The Assembly consists of all IMO Member States and meets once every two years.

Last Assembly session was held on 4 December 2019.  

The Assembly summit will conclude on 15 December 2021 while the Council will meet on the 16 December 2021 immediately after the Assembly summit.