IMO announced that seven IMO Member States have each nominated a candidate for the post of Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Since December 2022, IMO has started the process to elect a successor to Kitack Lim as secretary-general as the term of the current incumbent expires on 31 December 2023. In mid-March, SAFETY4SEA reported that among other suggestions, the Center for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE°), has openly endorsed Nancy Karigithu.
Today, IMO announced the following nominations ( in alphabetical order by candidates’ name) received by the deadline set for receipt of nominations of 31 March 2023 :
- Mr. Moin Uddin Ahmed (Bangladesh)
- Mr. Suat Hayri Aka (Türkiye)
- Mr. Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco (Panama)
- Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry (Dominica)
- Mrs. Nancy Karigithu (Kenya)
- Ms. Minna Kivimäki (Finland)
- Mr. Zhang Xiaojie (China)
The IMO Council at its 128th session (December 2022) approved the procedures for holding the election of the Secretary-General at the July 2023 session of the Council (C 129).
Now, the election will take place at IMO Headquarters on Tuesday 18 July. Following the election in July 2023, the decision of the Council will be submitted to the 33rd session of the Assembly of IMO in late 2023. The Assembly will be invited to approve the appointment.
The elected Secretary-General will take office on January 1st, 2024.
