Arsenio Dominguez of Panama has been voted into the post of IMO Secretary-General, taking over from South Korea’s Kitak Lim for a four-year term starting from 1 Januray 2024.
Seven candidates stood for election in a ballot of the 40 member states of the IMO Council. The appointment is subject to ratification by the full IMO Assembly.
Dominguez was elected at the third ballot, defeating candidates from Finland and Turkey. Seven candidates were originally nominated for the post, the other four nations represented being China, Kenya, Dominica and Bangladesh.
Dominguez is currently Director of the IMO Marine Environment Division, a full-time post he has held since 2017, before which he was at the Panama Maritime Authority culminating in serving as Panama’s Permanent Representative at IMO.
Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) said: “It has been a great pleasure and privilege to work with Kitack Lim over the past eight years. Kitack steered the IMO successfully through challenging times, calmly and with direction, and everyone at ICS wishes Kitack every success in his future endeavours. We look forward to working with Arsenio Dominguez of Panama, and know that Mr Dominguez will lead with equal measures of authority, purpose and compassion. The position of IMO Secretary General is not an easy one, and there are undoubtedly challenges ahead as the industry strives to meet the 2030, 2040 and 2050 targets, but it will be a pleasure to tackle these challenges head on with Mr Dominguez for a better and safer future for our industry and its people.”
