Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Elected as President of the International Maritime Organization 33 Assembly

His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdualziz Al Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was unanimously elected as the President of the International Maritime Organization’s 33rd Assembly on the 27th of November in London.

The International Maritime Organization is the specialised body of United Nations responsible for regulating all aspects of maritime trade including the safety, security, and environmental protection of international shipping. Its main role is to create and facilitate regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented while also overseeing the well-being of seafarers.

The Assembly is the highest governing body of the organization consisting of 175 Member States and is responsible for approving the work programme, budget, and adopts resolutions from all IMO committees. The 33rd Assembly, taking place from the 27th November – 6th December will see attendees from 175 member states including multiple ministers, ambassadors and delegations in attendance to support the strategic direction of the organisation. The Assembly will also see the election of the IMO Council for the biennium 2024 – 2025 with 40 council members elected across three categories of A, B, C as well as the appointment of the Secretary-General. Saudi Arabia is a current Council Member seeking re-election for the 2024-2025 biennium.

Prince Khalid bin Bandar’s unanimous election underscores the Kingdom’s pivotal role within the international maritime transport industry and its significant influence on global organizations. His appointment as the Assembly’s President provides a platform to spotlight Saudi Arabia’s endeavours and initiatives in international maritime transport, aligning with the goals outlined in the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS).

The NTLS encompasses a range of ambitious initiatives aimed at advancing Saudi Arabia’s maritime transport sector and solidifying the Kingdom’s position as a leading global logistics hub, in harmony with the objectives outlined in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud was nominated by the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom and accepted by acclimation to preside over the Assembly as President and guide Member State discussions. Two Vice-Presidents were also elected, His Excellency Mr. Juan Carlos Gamarra, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the IMO from Peru, and Her Excellency Saida Muna Taseem, High Commissioner and Permanent Representative to the IMO from Bangladesh.