Al Malik: We Continue Collaborating with Partners to Strengthen a Safer and Sustainable Maritime Framework
Abu Dhabi – WAM
The United Arab Emirates is actively enhancing its international presence within the global maritime sector through a series of initiatives, positions, and proposed resolutions adopted within the International Maritime Organization (IMO) over the years. This sustained effort has led to the endorsement of several landmark decisions that have supported global maritime development, establishing the UAE as a pioneering and influential nation in shaping the future of maritime transport.
The UAE’s ongoing contributions are highlighted by its election to the IMO Council for five consecutive terms, making it the first Arab nation to achieve such a distinction in Category (B) of the council. This accomplishment signifies international confidence in the UAE’s leadership role and affirms its status as a global hub for maritime industry.
Throughout its journey within the organization, the UAE has adopted numerous notable resolutions that are now integral to the global maritime framework. These include: the organization’s strategy for enhancing maritime capabilities, recognition of Arabic as a working language of the assembly, the consolidated text for amendments to the IMO Convention, approval of live-streaming standards for assembly sessions, acceptance of the assembly’s internal regulations, and the incorporation of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as official holidays, alongside encouraging countries to ratify the 2021 amendments to the convention.
Additionally, the UAE has played a significant role in formulating and approving various technical, legislative, and regulatory decisions, most notably: the strategic plan for the organization for 2024 – 2029, implementation strategies, a results-based budget for 2026 – 2027, port state control standards for 2025, guidelines for the HSSC system for 2025, the comprehensive plan for the IMO Number Scheme, satellite communication requirements for navigation and safety (GMDSS), and the non-exhaustive list for 2025 concerning obligations related to the organization’s protocols.
Active Presence
Hessa Al Malik, Advisor to the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure for Maritime Transport Affairs, stated that the UAE is continuously establishing itself as one of the foremost global maritime centers through its proactive engagement in the IMO, exemplifying the use of maritime diplomacy to foster sustainable development and enhance international economic competitiveness in the coming decades.
She further emphasized that the historic achievement of securing a Category (B) council membership for five consecutive terms reaffirms the UAE’s international stature and its leadership role in advancing global maritime regulations. The UAE will continue to collaborate with international partners to build a safer and more sustainable maritime system that aligns with the nation’s objectives and the vision of its leadership.
Mohammed Khamis Al Kaabi, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the IMO, expressed that the achievements accomplished over recent years in enriching the organization’s operations reflect a clear vision founded on collaboration, transparency, and the enhancement of maritime safety and security standards, while facilitating global maritime trade. He also stressed the importance of supporting developing nations, especially the least developed countries and small island developing states, while promoting cooperation among Arab nations in the domain of global maritime decision-making.