The United Arab Emirates participated in the 50th session of the Facilitation Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), held in London. The meeting included representatives from member states and relevant international organizations, with the UAE’s permanent representative to the IMO, His Excellency Mohamed Khamis Al Kaabi, serving as the committee’s vice chair.
This participation reflects the UAE’s commitment to enhancing its active role in the development of the global maritime transport system, as well as supporting international efforts to improve maritime operations’ efficiency and safety.
During the meetings, His Excellency Mohamed Khamis Al Kaabi emphasized the importance of securing maritime navigation amidst the challenges facing the region. He welcomed the committee’s initiatives aligning with the International Maritime Organization’s Council’s declarations from its extraordinary 36th session.
The committee expressed concerns regarding the impact of attacks on commercial vessels and the repercussions on international maritime navigation and sailor safety. It called for continued collaboration with relevant stakeholders and necessary actions to develop frameworks that bolster navigation security. Additionally, it advocated for regular updates to member states on the status of maritime conditions in the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Gulf, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
Regarding the development of the facilitation agreement, the committee approved two proposals put forward by the UAE. These initiatives, informed by lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, aim to streamline crew change processes and enhance vaccination availability within national programs, alongside ensuring medical care access during international health emergencies and aligning global health regulations from the World Health Organization with the agreement’s provisions.
His Excellency Al Kaabi also led a working group to draft a resolution on guidelines for preventing unauthorized access to ships and distributing responsibilities for addressing these issues. He participated in reviewing the roadmap for autonomous surface vessels, which falls under the committee’s purview.
Furthermore, the UAE contributed a proposal to develop a non-binding code on maritime cybersecurity, which the committee approved, involving relevant technical committees in the process.