London: The Shipping Deputy Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Ms. Marina Hadjimanolis, addressed the Plenary of the 34th General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, representing Cyprus. In her speech, she reaffirmed Cyprus’ longstanding commitment to actively contributing to the IMO’s mission with all the members of the Organisation and to the collective efforts that shape the future of international shipping.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Ms. Hadjimanolis highlighted the importance of cooperation, resilience, and continued progress within the global maritime community, especially at a time of evolving challenges and opportunities for the sector. She emphasized that shared responsibility and coordinated action are essential for safeguarding the sustainability, safety, and competitiveness of both the international maritime sector and the oceans.
Later in the evening, the Shipping Deputy Ministry of Cyprus hosted a reception for the delegations of the countries participating in the Assembly. In her address, Ms. Hadjimanolis expressed her appreciation to all attendees and also highlighted Cyprus’ positive and constructive role in supporting the Organization’s goals, including enhancing safety, protecting the marine environment, and improving the working conditions of seafarers. She reiterated Cyprus’ commitment to supporting the IMO’s work and objectives.
In her detailed speech, Ms. Hadjimanolis touched upon various challenges faced by the maritime industry, including climate change, security threats, and technological evolution. She called for strengthening regulatory frameworks, enhancing technical cooperation, and embracing innovation to ensure that the IMO remains agile and credible.
She also underscored the importance of treating seafarers fairly and ensuring their welfare, safety, and inclusion. Ms. Hadjimanolis congratulated the Secretary-General of the IMO for leadership in addressing these issues. She reiterated Cyprus’ commitment to working within the IMO to review and update training standards to meet the needs of a transforming industry.
Furthermore, Ms. Hadjimanolis addressed the threats posed by piracy and the necessity to strengthen regional offices, intelligence sharing, and coordination to secure maritime routes. On the topic of climate change, she noted the need for a pragmatic legal framework for maritime decarbonization and highlighted the importance of supporting vulnerable states.
Ms. Hadjimanolis concluded by expressing gratitude to the Secretary-General of the IMO for administrative reforms and visionary leadership, which have revitalized the functioning of the Secretariat. Cyprus envisions an IMO that is strong, fair, inclusive, and forward-looking, and is committed to working towards these objectives with all members of the Organization.