IMO Assembly 33rd session opens

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has opened the 33rd session of the IMO Assembly (A 33), which is meeting at IMO Headquarters in London from 27 November – 6 December 2023.   

The Secretary-General highlighted the Organization's achievements during the current biennium, including the adoption of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, and emphasized the need to decarbonize and digitalize shipping in the years ahead.   

"Our planet, oceans, and humanity face critical threats from pollution, climate change, geopolitical instability, and the economic challenges posed by high inflation. Despite these obstacles, the importance of shipping in facilitating global trade and transporting essential goods across continents cannot be overstated. However, our focus must shift towards a future that’s both decarbonized and digitalized, leaving no one behind," Mr. Lim said. 

The Assembly elected H.R.H. Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al-Saud, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom, as President.  

H.E. Ms. Saida Muna Tasneem, High Commissioner and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to IMO was elected as first Vice-President; and H.E. Mr. Juan Carlos Gamarra Skeels, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of Peru to IMO was elected as second Vice-President. 

 Plenary meetings from the beginning of the thirty-third regular session of the Assembly are live-streamed with the following exceptions: any time a vote is cast (not limited to voting by secret ballot); any matter related to the appointment of the Secretary-General; and any other discussion the Assembly may decide should be in a private meeting.