THE BAHAMAS LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN FOR RE-ELECTION TO IMO COUNCIL CATEGORY ‘C’

HE Paul Rolle, Ambassador of The Bahamas to the IMO at the ceremony.

Ministers the Hon. Fred Mitchell and Jo-Beth Coleby-Davis led a delegation to London to launch The Bahamas’ candidacy for re-election to the Council of the International Maritime Organization IMO in Category ‘C’. during her visit, she paid courtesy calls to HE Mr Jeroen Cooreman, Ambassador of Belgium to the UK, HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud Ambassador of  Saudia Arabia to the UK, His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to the UK, HE Roy Barreras, Ambassador of Columbia to the UK, Badr Mohammed Badr Almantheri, Ambassador of Oman to the UK, and HE Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General to the IMO.

Ministers Coleby Davis (2nd from Left) and Mitchell (2nd from right) and Ambassador Rolle (right) welcoming guests.

On Wednesday 12 March 2025, The Bahamas Permanent Mission to the International Maritime Organization launched its official campaign for re-election to the IMO-Council Category ‘C’.

Hon. Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs brought greetings and stressed the importance of The Bahamas to the IMO Council and encouraged the delegates to support The Bahamas in its bid for re-election.

Hon. Jo-Beth Coleby-Davis, Minister of Energy and Transport brought the keynote address. She thanked the Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez and the Sultanate of Oman for their leadership roles in securing the release of the crew of the Bahamas flagged Galaxy Leader, which was seized by Houthi rebels in November 2023, and detained in Yemen.

Referencing the IMO theme for 2025, ‘Our Ocean-our Obligation-Our Opportunity’ Minister Coleby-Davis stressed that The Bahamas is proactive in its efforts to protect its marine environment in line with the United Nations UN Sustainable Development Goal SDC 14 ‘Life below Water’. She stressed that The Bahamas is also committed to the UN SDG – 13, Climate Action through the reduction of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Minister Coleby-Davis said that The Bahamas is pleased to collaborate and take leadership roles in the areas related to safety, security, environment and human element at the IMO Committees, Sub-Committees, Working and Correspondence Groups; International Labour Organization ILO, International Mobile Satellite Organization IMSO, International Oil Pollution Committee IOPC and regionally within the Caribbean Port State Control Committee ensuring the development of clear and practical standards and requirements supported by guidance for the industry.

In her Remarks, Minister Coleby-Davis stated that the future of the industry and global sustainability is reliant on attracting and retaining the next generation of maritime personnel who have the tools and skillset to manage this innovative industry that sustains the global economy.  She reiterated the fact that The Bahamas sees it as its obligation and seized the opportunity to ensure that seafarers are properly trained ensuring capacity development, and gender equality for an equitable maritime industry.

Minister Coleby-Davis stressed that The Bahamas values its Council membership and pledge to continue to work tirelessly, in cooperation with the IMO Secretariat, respective delegations, and with its partners and friends in the industry, to attain the highest practicable standards of maritime safety and security, environment protection and seafarer training and wellbeing. She then asked delegates to in the spirit of The Bahamas’ motto ‘Collaboration and Cooperation’, support of The Bahamas’ candidature, in the Council elections.

The event was attended by Ms. Jaqueline Simmons-Chaiman of The Bahamas Maritime Authority BMA, Mr. Peter Goulandris-Deputy Chairman of the BMA, Mr. Dwain Hutchinson-Managing Director of the BMA, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez-Secretary General of the IMO, Heads of delegations to the United Kingdom and Permanent Representatives to the International Maritime Organization. The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization. The Council is made up of 40 Member States, elected by the Assembly for a two-year biennium.

Minister Jo-Beth Coleby-Davis making her keynote address to the delegates at the Bahamas Candidacy launch. The event was attended by Hon. Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization, HE Ambassador Paul Rolle-Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization, Ms. Jaqueline Simmons-Chairman Bahamas Maritime Authority Board, Mr. Peter Golaundris-Deputy Chairman Bahamas Maritime Authority, Mr. Dwain Hutchinson-Managing Director Bahamas Maritime Authority and heads of delegations to the Court of St. James and Permanent Representatives to the International Maritime Organization and International Mobile Satellite Organization.

After the Minister’s address, delegates were treated to a scrumptious meal and drinks, Bahamian rum cakes, Benny cake, peanut cake and candies from The Bahamas. They were treated to Bahamian music.