Dominica names candidate for IMO secretary general post

Dominica has nominated the President of the World Maritime University, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, as its candidate for the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) position.

The election will take place in July 2023 during the 129th session of the IMO Council. Apart from Dominica, Bangladesh is expected to formally join Panama, Türkiye, and Kenya plus one European candidate to replace Kitack Lim of the Republic of South Korea, who was elected in 2015 for a four-year period and was re-elected for a second and final term of four years that will end on December 31, this year.

Lim is the eighth elected IMO secretary general.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Dominican-born Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, has “vast knowledge, expertise, and experience in senior management roles of international organizations, including the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations, and the International Labor Organization”.

The London-based IMO is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and preventing marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.

Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade, and Energy Minister, Dr. Vince Henderson said the Roosevelt Skerrit government is confident that Dr. Doumbia-Henry is fully qualified and experienced to serve as the IMO secretary general.

“If successful, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry will join the cadre of Dominicans at the helm of a number of regional and international institutions,” the statement said.

CMC/