MOWCA SG MEETS International Maritime Organisation SG
Oru Leonard
For the first time in more than a decade the leadership of two key maritime organizations in the international and regional arenas met to chart a new partnership for their mutual benefits.
The historic move was made at the instance of MOWCA’s new Secretary General Dr. Paul Adalikwu, he was granted audience at IMO’s Headquarters in London by its Secretary General Mr. Kitack Lim to discuss avenues of establishing strategic partnerships among the two entities.
Top of the discussion was on MOWCA’s aspiration to transform into the African Maritime Organization similar to the European Maritime Security Agency (EMSA).
Also present at the discussion was the immediate past Chairman of MOWCA’s Council of Ministers, the Minister of Transport of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Hon Cherubin Okende Senga.
Responding to issues raised, SG IMO appreciated the repositioning of MOWCA under Dr. Adalikwu and assured of maximum cooperation and support. He directed his team to engage further with MOWCA and work out details of the new engagement. Finally, at the request of SG MOWCA, the IMO scribe approved a meeting with all Ministers of Transport and Maritime Affairs from MOWCA member states in September to formalize the new relationship and engagements.
Alongside the IMO SG were his Special Advisor on Maritime Security Mr. Peter Adams, Director, Technical Cooperation Mr. Xiaojie Zhang and Head of External Relations Office Mr. Michael Guy as well as Head of Technical Unit for Africa Mr. Emmanuel Azuh.
