1. LONDON - The 33rd Regular Session of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Assembly is being held from 27 November to 6 December 2023, at the IMO Headquarters in London, United Kingdom. The Assembly are discussing several matters on maritime safety and security, marine environment protection as well as the election of new IMO Council members.
2. Negara Brunei Darussalam’s Delegation comprising of officials from the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) and the Marine and Port Authority (MPABD) was led by Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications. During the assembly, 85 Heads of Delegation, including Negara Brunei Darussalam, delivered General Statements.
3. In his address to the IMO Assembly, Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications expressed appreciation to the outgoing Secretary-General, Mr. Kitack Lim (of the Republic of Korea) for his dedicated service during his tenure and advancing the work in developing IMO’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy, promoting diversity and inclusion in the maritime sector, as well as the designation of seafarers as key workers during the height of the global pandemic. Yang Berhormat also congratulated to Mr. Arsenio Dominguez (of the Republic of Panama) for his appointment as the incoming IMO Secretary-General.
4. On the matter of the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Ships, Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, shared that Negara Brunei Darussalam is fully committed towards cooperating with the international community to address the issue of climate change and called for pragmatism and intensified collaboration in the sharing of knowledge, technology, and resources so that no nation is left behind and that the burden of responsibility is shared equitably. Yang Berhormat also stated that it was important to acknowledge that member states are at varying stages of their decarbonization journey and that technological innovation and the global introduction and accessibility of alternative fuels or energy sources for shipping will be integral to achieve the overall ambition.
5. Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, also reiterated Negara Brunei Darussalam’s commitment towards creating a thriving maritime industry that is both safer and more environmentally sustainable. Yang Berhormat shared on the progress that Negara Brunei Darussalam was making at improving the maritime infrastructure and strengthening operational practices in compliance with the IMO instruments to which the nation is party to.
6. At the sideline of the IMO Assembly, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Concerning Cooperation in the Field of Merchant Shipping and Port Operations was signed between Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD) and the Directorate General of Sea Transportation (DGST) of the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia. Through the MOU, both countries wish to foster closer cooperation in projects and programs to enhance sea connectivity between the two countries and promote sustainable direct trade activities. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), was signed by Yang Mulia Haji Mohammad Salihin bin Haji Aspar, the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Transport), Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, in his capacity as the Interim Chief Executive of MPABD, and Dr. Capt. Antoni Ariff Priadi, the Director General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia.
7. Yang Mulia Haji Mohammad Salihin bin Haji Aspar, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Transport) Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC), along with senior officials from MTIC and MPABD accompanied the Minister as delegations to the 33rd IMO General Assembly.
Prepared by: Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, Brunei Darussalam
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