Date: July 25, 2023
According to the IMO, in a historic decision during its 129th session, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council has elected Mr. Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco from the Republic of Panamá as its new Secretary-General. The appointment, set to take effect from January 1, 2024, will mark the beginning of Mr. Dominguez’s initial four-year term at the helm of this influential global maritime body.
The crucial vote that led to Mr. Dominguez’s election took place during the IMO Council’s 129th session (C 129), held from July 17 to July 21, 2023. The council members recognized his remarkable dedication and extensive expertise in maritime affairs, making him the ideal candidate for this prestigious leadership position.
Before his election as Secretary-General, Mr. Dominguez served as the Director of the IMO’s Marine Environment Division, a role he has held since January 2022. His journey within the IMO Secretariat began in 2017, initially as the Chief of Staff to the Secretary-General, Mr. Kitack Lim. His exceptional performance led to his promotion as Director of the Organization’s Administrative Division in 2020.
A proud native of Panama, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez Velasco has made significant contributions to the maritime sector throughout his illustrious career. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the esteemed Fermin Naudeu Institute in Panama in 1988. Building on his passion for naval architecture, he pursued further studies at the University of Veracruz, Mexico, graduating in 1995.
Demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, Mr. Dominguez Velasco obtained an MBA from the University of Hull and a Certificate of Higher Education in International Law and European Politics from Birkbeck University in the United Kingdom.
His journey in the maritime industry began in 1996 as a port engineer at Armadores del Caribe in Panama. His expertise and dedication soon led him to assume the role of Drydock Assistant Manager at Braswell Shipyard. In 1998, he ventured to London to join the Panama Maritime Authority as Head of the Technical and Documentation Regional Office for Europe and North Africa, showcasing his abilities on the international stage.
Throughout his career, Mr. Dominguez Velasco has been an ardent representative of Panama’s interests in various capacities within the IMO. Notably, from 2014 to 2017, he chaired the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), leaving a lasting impact on the organization’s environmental initiatives.
In 2015, he took on the responsibility of chairing the Technical Committee of the 25th session of the IMO Assembly, where he further demonstrated his diplomatic prowess and leadership acumen. Prior to these notable roles, between 2010 and 2014, he successfully chaired the Maritime Security – Piracy and Armed Robbery Working Group under the organization’s Maritime Safety Committee.
The Secretary-General-elect’s extensive experience and expertise in maritime affairs have earned him widespread respect and admiration among his peers and the global maritime community. As he takes on this prestigious new role, his vision and leadership are expected to shape the future of international maritime policies and further advance the IMO’s mission of safe, secure, and environmentally responsible shipping on a global scale.
Mr. Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco’s election as the new Secretary-General will now be presented to the IMO Assembly during its 33rd session, scheduled to convene from November 27 to December 6, 2023, for final approval. The maritime world eagerly awaits this landmark moment as a new era begins for the International Maritime Organization under the stewardship of Panama’s esteemed maritime expert.
On behalf of FullAvanteNews.com, part of the WMU Alumni Network and quoting the WMU Latin American Alumni Association (LATAMA):
“We are incredibly proud of this milestone. Fair winds and following seas Arsenio, we look forward to keep working together for safer, cleaner, and better known oceans.”
Source: IMO, WMU LATAMA
