Mr.
President,
Secretary
General,
Excellencies,
Distinguished
Delegates,
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
We
have gathered, once more, at the Headquarters of the Organization, to take
stock and assess what has been achieved during the last two years and to set
out our views and thoughts as to what we expect during the coming biennium and
the years beyond.
The last two years have had some
remarkable achievements and I will cite the work done on the seafarers training
and Certification, on energy efficiency measures to reduce Green House Gas
emissions from ships the progress made towards IMO Member State Audit Scheme and the work done in relation to the
repression of piracy as major achievements.
These
are, at the same time, fine examples that IMO has moved from the era of waiting
for casualties to occur and then respond to them, to the era of focusing on how
disasters could be prevented. I am
pleased also to note that this has been done without losing sight of the interests
of the Membership, of the shipping industry and of the seafaring
community. IMO has therefore allowed the
unhindered continuation of international trade.
We
strongly believe that the work done by IMO, thus far, in relation to the reduction
of Green House Gas emissions from ships is an excellent example of a proactive
and timely response. In our view, the Organization
has a public duty to continue its work on the protection of the environment
should accelerate its work on the reduction of the Green House Gas emissions
from ships and should cover all the related areas.
Making
the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme mandatory, was a major milestone
for IMO in order to be able to assess the complete and effective implementation
of IMO instruments. For that reason Cyprus will be re-audited again as soon as
the audit scheme becomes mandatory.
Regrettably,
piracy and armed robbery in some parts of the world will be one of the
preoccupations of the session. However,
Cyprus is, also, seriously concerned by the despicable incidents which occur
elsewhere and the unwillingness of the adjacent coastal States to take decisive
actions against the perpetrators. Cyprus
is of the view that the Organization should also focus in other piracy
hotspots, before the emerging trends become a very serious threat to international
shipping.
The
proliferation of amendments to the various IMO instruments and the large
volumes of recommendations and guidelines which are adopted each year, continue
to pose a very serious concern. It is
becoming increasingly more difficult for the Membership and the industry to
timely and effectively implement what is produced in this building. Whilst some stem from the unavoidable
technological evolution or the need to respond to or manage emerging risks, the
frequent changes undermine the confidence in the ability of IMO to provide a
stable and sustainable international regulatory framework. In addition, they can be seen as implying a
short sight approach and that IMO favours speed over the quality of an end
result which is based on comprehensive and detailed analysis.
The
aim is to ensure a sustainable future for International shipping through
managing and balancing the many activities, resources and assets involved. We are expecting the IMO to promote
multi-sectoral partnerships involving NGOs, the private sector, communities,
and mass media, as well as government, intergovernmental bodies, international
agencies and bilateral and multilateral financial institutions.
IMO’s
integrated and precautionary approach and its efforts to deliver safe, secure,
environmentally friendly and efficient international transport for passengers
and goods, should be safeguarded in order to maintain shipping a competitive
mode of transport which is vital for the socioeconomic development of State, in
particular that of the developing, least developed and small island States.
The
Organization should continue to provide assistance to countries in need through
its Integrated Technical Co-operation Programme. Although Cyprus feels that ITCP needs to be
reviewed and, if necessary, reoriented, it will continue its kind support and
hopes that other Member States which are able to provide aid to the programme
will also continue to do so.
We
stress once again the need that the Membership continues to provide the
required funding by paying, promptly and in full its financial
obligations. I sincerely hope that the
Assembly would take seriously into account, when discussing the budget
estimates for the next biennium, the current adverse global financial climate
and the fact that a significant part of the Membership is experiencing economic
recession or is facing financial difficulties.
In the past, Cyprus has been very accommodating. However, when in the domestic front we are
cutting social and welfare benefits, restricting educational and health
expenditures and curtailing or postponing development projects, it is very
difficult to explain and justify any increases in the budget of the
Organization.
Nevertheless,
I can assure you that as we have done since 1973, when Cyprus became a Member
State, we will continue to pay promptly our financial obligations to IMO.
Cyprus
has once more submitted for consideration by the Assembly its candidacy for
re-election to the Council in Category C.
Our record and commitment to IMO is well known. The new Council, until we meet again in two
years, will have to ensure, in cooperation with the Secretary-General, the
continuation of the work of IMO in a climate of limited financial resources and
that there is no need to levy supplementary appropriation.
In
closing I would like thank the IMO staff for the excellent services they have
provided during the last two years and I wish them the best for the future.
Thank you Mr. President.
