The International Maritime Organization has launched its Regional Presence Office (RPO) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during a ceremony held in the historic maritime city of Alexandria, Egypt.

This milestone underscores the IMO’s commitment to enhancing maritime cooperation and capacity-building across one of the world’s most strategically significant regions.

The region holds a pivotal role in global maritime trade, along with a strong commitment to supporting the maritime sector. The event was attended by IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, and high-level dignitaries, including His Excellency Lieutenant General Kamel Al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development representing the Government of Egypt.

Secretary-General Dominguez said: “This Regional Presence Office is a testament to our commitment to bring IMO closer to the regions. This Office will serve as a bridge, addressing regional maritime challenges by fostering collaboration, and ensuring that the voices and needs of MENA countries are effectively represented on the global stage.”

The RPO will play a central role in implementing IMO’s technical cooperation activities in the MENA region, focusing on enhancing maritime safety, security, and environmental sustainability. It will also act as a hub for monitoring progress, facilitating dialogue, and delivering tailored solutions to address the region’s unique maritime needs.

His Excellency Kamel Al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development stated: “This achievement reflects the trust IMO places in Egypt and enhances its pivotal position in the maritime transport sector regionally and internationally. It reaffirms its leading role as a bridge for cooperation among the countries of the region, contributing to the development of the maritime sector and fostering integration among Arab nations.”

The MENA region is home to some of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes, including the Suez Canal, which facilitates approximately 12% of global trade. This new Office is expected to strengthen the region’s capacity to enhance maritime governance and accelerate the transition to greener shipping practices.

The launch event was attended by representatives from Member States in the region, industry stakeholders, and academia. The IMO and Egypt reaffirmed their shared vision of sustainable and secure maritime trade as a cornerstone of global prosperity.

IMO regional presence

The MENA Regional Presence Office is part of a global network that includes existing offices in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire for West and Central Africa (Francophone); Accra, Ghana for West and Central Africa (Anglophone); Nairobi, Kenya for Eastern and Southern Africa; Manila, the Philippines for East Asia; and Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago for the Caribbean. IMO is currently in the process of opening the RPO in Fiji for the Pacific region.

For further information about the IMO Regional Presence Office in the MENA region, please contact Director, TCID, IMO Secretariat (tcid@imo.org).