The Minister of Communications and Works, Mr Tasos Mitsopoulos, is heading
the Cyprus delegation participating in the 28th session of the
Assembly of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which began
yesterday and will conclude on 4 December at IMO headquarters in London.
Mr Mitsopoulos addressed the Assembly and commended the Organisation for
achieving its goals for the biennium 2011-2013. He
also underlined the significance Cyprus attributes to the Organisation’s work.
Moreover, the Minister drew the attention of IMO members to the fact that
maritime commercial transport should from now on be developed in a sustainable manner.
“The aim is to ensure a sustainable future for
international shipping through managing and balancing the many activities,
resources and assets involved”, Mr Mitsopoulos noted adding that the “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 States, in particular the developing, least developed and small
island States.”
Referring to the work done by the IMO in
relation to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships as “an
excellent example of a proactive and timely response”, Mr Mitsopoulos further said
that the Organization “has a public duty to continue its work on the protection
of the environment and should accelerate its work on the reduction of the greenhouse
gas emissions from ships. “
During the Assembly session elections will be also held to designate the
new members of the IMO Council. Cyprus will submit its candidacy for
re-election as member of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation
for the biennium 2013-2015.
On the sidelines of the Assembly session Mr Mitsopoulos will have the
opportunity to meet with the IMO Secretary-General, Mr Koji Sekimizu, as well
as with his counterparts attending the session.
The other members of the Cyprus delegation will have meetings with the
heads of other delegations taking part in the IMO Assembly session, aimed at promoting
Cyprus’ candidacy and also the interests of Cyprus shipping.
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