Arsenio Dominguez | |
---|---|
![]() Dominguez in November 2023 | |
10th Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization | |
Assumed office January 1, 2024 | |
Preceded by | Kitack Lim |
Personal details | |
Born | Panama |
Arsenio Dominguez is the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. [1] [2] [3] [4] He became the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization with effect from 1 January 2024, for an initial four-year term. [1] [2] [4] [5]
Dominguez trained as a naval architect studying at the University of Veracruz in Mexico. [3] [6] He also has an MBA from the University of Hull and a Certificate of Higher Education in International Law and European Politics from Birkbeck University in the UK. [7]
Dominguez worked as a port engineer in Panama before becoming a Drydock Assistant Manager at the Braswell Shipyard. [5]
From 2004 to 2017, he represented Panama as technical advisor and then Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization. [8] During this time he also served as Chair of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) from 2014 to 2017. [8]
In 2017, Dominguez assumed the role of Chief of Staff in the Office of the Secretary-General at the International Maritime Organization. Subsequently, he transitioned to the positions of Director of the Administrative Division and Director of the Marine Environment Division. [8]
Dominguez was elected to be the new Secretary-General of the IMO on 18 July 2023. [1] In September 2023, Dominguez informed the London International Shipping Week conference that the IMO had begun reviewing the Carbon Intensity Indicator regulations for shipping. [9]
The new Secretary-General was approved by the IMO Assembly unanimously on 30 November 2023. [10]
Dominguez assumed office as the 10th Secretary-General of the IMO on 1 January 2024 and released a New Year's Message to the shipping industry. [11] [12] [13]
On 3 January 2024, in a speech to the United Nations Security Council Dominguez condemned the Houthi attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea. [14] [15] On 10 January, he announced a new senior leadership at the IMO. [16] On 22 January, Dominguez gave an opening address to the 10th Session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC), calling for the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew. [17] [18] In February 2024, Dominguez called for a de-escalation of tensions which was causing the ongoing attacks in the Red Sea and stated that the IMO were working to facilitate talks on maritime security between relevant parties. [19] [20]
In April 2024, at Singapore Maritime Week, Dominguez stated that the IMO was on track to reach its stated goals in reducing greenhouse emissions according to its planned timeline. [21] [22] In May 2024, at the 108th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 108) Dominguez opened the session and highlighted the ongoing attacks on shipping and the need to protect seafarers. [23]
Dominguez enjoys playing tennis and watching horror movies. [24] He states that living near the Panama Canal and the influences of his parents were key factors that encouraged him to seek challenges from a career in the maritime industry. [24]