Minister of Transport H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani has headed the State of Qatar’s delegation to the 34th Session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly, which meets in London.

The Assembly is the highest Governing Body of the IMO, consisting of all Member States. The Assembly is meeting through December 3 for its 34th regular session, to set the Organization’s strategic direction, elect new Council, and approve work program.

Addressing the 34th Session, H.E. the minister lauded the crucial role of the IMO in shaping the future of global maritime transportation, enhancing the safety and security of global maritime navigation, and protecting the marine environment.

He said that Qatar is strategically prioritizing its maritime industry within its overall national transportation ecosystem, in step with the goals and agenda of the IMO.

The minister also highlighted Qatar’s pragmatic steps with respect to reducing GHG emissions, enhancing ports’ efficiency, and developing its national legislations in line with best international standards for safety of life at sea, marine environment protection, and the safety of navigation and seafarers’ rights.

H.E. the minister cited significant progress in Qatar in qualifying and upskilling more national cadets in maritime industry; the most recent was the inauguration of a brand-new Maritime Training and Simulation Center at the University of Doha for Science and Technology. He said that the Center is equipped with cutting-edge world technologies to serve as a leading platform to prepare Qatari professionals to the best universal standards.

Protecting the marine environment, he said, has always been a cornerstone of Qatar’s national policies with a firm belief that seas are not just trade corridors, but natural and human legacy that ought to be protected for the coming generations.

In this regard, the minister said, Qatar had developed a national action plan to preserve marine resources and established a multidisciplinary committee focused on enhancing the long-term planning and management of marine resources, in line with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

With that commitment front and center, he said, Qatar is looking forward to cementing its close cooperation with all Member States and the IMO for a safer, eco-friendlier, and more substantiable maritime future.

H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the UK, Ireland, and Iceland, and Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the IMO, attended the Session.

The IMO is the UN specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. IMO's work supports the UN SDGs.