The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced the inauguration of its seventh Regional Presence Office (RPO) in Suva, Fiji, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to addressing maritime needs and priorities in the Pacific Islands region. The establishment of this office follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on March 18 between IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, and Fiji’s Minister for Transport, Ro Filipe Tuisawau.
The primary objective of the Regional Presence Office is to provide comprehensive support to countries in the Pacific Islands region, ensuring alignment of IMO actions with national and regional development policies. Key areas of focus include training, safety and security, legislation, and marine environment conservation. By facilitating active field-level engagement, the Office aims to enhance the delivery of IMO’s technical cooperation framework within the region.
Minister Tuisawau emphasized the importance of addressing critical maritime issues, particularly in ensuring the safety of Pacific people during inter-island shipping. The establishment of the IMO Pacific Regional Presence Office presents an opportunity to tackle challenges such as the efficiency of inter-island shipping services and compliance with global standards for ships. Moreover, it aims to support Pacific Member States in enhancing the certification and employment prospects for young people in the maritime sector.
Secretary-General Dominguez expressed gratitude to the host country, Fiji, as well as to the Governments of Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands for their generous financial and in-kind support. He underscored the significance of enhancing IMO’s global presence and collaborative efforts with the Pacific region and Member States. The establishment of the Suva office reflects a collective commitment to advancing maritime interests and promoting sustainable development in the region.
The Suva office will be led by a Regional Coordinator and will complement the existing network of IMO Regional Presence Offices worldwide. These include offices in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Accra, Ghana for West and Central Africa, Nairobi, Kenya for Eastern and Southern Africa, Manila, the Philippines for East Asia, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago for the Caribbean, and Alexandria, Egypt for the Middle East and North Africa. The establishment of the Suva office signifies IMO’s dedication to expanding its global footprint and enhancing its support for maritime development initiatives.
The Pacific Islands region comprises 14 IMO Member States, including Australia and New Zealand. Among these, twelve are classified as small island developing States (SIDS), with three categorized as least developed countries (LDCs). The establishment of the Regional Presence Office in Suva underscores the IMO’s commitment to addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by these countries, particularly in enhancing maritime safety, security, and sustainability.
In conclusion, the inauguration of the IMO Regional Presence Office in Suva, Fiji, marks a significant step towards strengthening maritime governance and cooperation in the Pacific Islands region. Through close collaboration with Member States and stakeholders, the Office aims to address critical maritime issues, promote compliance with international standards, and support the sustainable development of the maritime sector. This initiative reflects the IMO’s ongoing commitment to advancing its global mission of safe, secure, and efficient shipping for all.
