Oyetola to address IMO General Assembly in London

By onepageafrica Last updated Nov 28, 2023

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola and his team, in London.

The Hon. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola has arrived in London, the United Kingdom, where he would lead the country’s delegation to the 33rd session of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) General Assembly taking place in London from November 27th to December 6th, 2023.

The Minister’s spokesman, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, disclosed via his official X handle that other members of the delegation expected to attend the session are the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Director, Marine Safety and Security, Babatunde Bombata, and the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh.

The IMO has chosen the theme ‘MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on’ for the 2023 event, to reflect the organization’s long history of protecting the environment from the impact of shipping via a robust regulatory framework and emphasizes its on-going commitment to the important work.

The IMO General Assembly is the highest governing body of all member states in the maritime domain, responsible for approving the work programme and budget, determining financial arrangements, and electing the IMO Council.

Omipidan said: “The assembly convenes every two years, and this year’s session provides a platform for Oyetola to deliver Nigeria’s message to the Assembly and actively participate in shaping maritime policies at the global level.”

According to the IMO, the meeting would be opened by the outgoing President, Mr. Antonio Manuel Lagdameo, and the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations.

The Assembly would be addressed by the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation, Mr. Kitack Lim, while the global maritime body would also elect a President, two Vice-Presidents and Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Assembly Committees.

It is envisaged that three Committees would be established while it would host the IMO Awards Ceremony on the first day of the Assembly November 27th.