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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia actively participated in the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 132nd Council session held at the IMO Headquarters in London from July 8-12, 2024. As a re-elected Council Member, Saudi Arabia made perceptive and strategic contributions to a variety of critical issues.
The IMO Council is the executive organ of the organization and is responsible for making decisions that guide the IMO’s overall direction and overseeing all other committees. The 132nd Council session was particularly notable as it marked the first under Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.
Saudi Arabia demonstrated commendable leadership during the session by championing several key issues in the Council. A major focus was on promoting multilingualism within the IMO to ensure that the diverse linguistic needs of the global maritime community are met. This will lead to the increase accessibility of the Arabic language to the IMO. This initiative is crucial for fostering improved communication and inclusivity among international stakeholders while also exemplifying United Nations Strategic Development Goals (UNSDG’s) 16 of Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Thus, building effective institutions by promoting inclusiveness.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia successfully advocated for the official recognition of the Islamic holidays Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha within the IMO calendar. This underscores the importance of cultural diversity and religious inclusivity in international organizations.
Moreover, the Kingdom has been a strong advocate of increasing gender and geographical diversity within the IMO Secretariat to further evoke UNSDG 5 of Gender-Equality and Empowerment of all Women and Girls. This will see the improvement of visibility and recognition of women in the maritime sector for the International Maritime Prize. By advocating for these changes, Saudi Arabia aims to create a more balanced and representative maritime sector.
These efforts embody the Kingdom’s revolutionary Vision 2030, a roadmap for positioning Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub and plan for promoting and fostering sustainable development. Furthermore, encouraging the empowerment of women and promoting of leadership to cultivate a vibrant society.
Saudi Arabia is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable international maritime environment, demonstrating its dedication to progressive and collaborative leadership within the IMO. The Kingdom is dedicated to representing all IMO Member States and pursuing policies that support sustainability, seafarers, and safety.
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