On 12 February, Mr Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization and WMU Chancellor was welcomed by Professor Max Mejia, WMU President, on his first official visit to the University since assuming the role of Secretary-General at the beginning of this year.

Mr. Dominguez held successive meetings with WMU faculty and staff, followed by the MSc and PhD students currently studying in Malmö. In both meetings he outlined four strategic priorities for IMO that include: IMO’s work to regulate international shipping; its support to Member States – particularly Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries; enhancing public awareness and image; and relations with people and stakeholders. Mr Dominguez also reiterated his support of WMU and its mission.

As Chancellor of the University, he expressed his commitment to WMU and its continued growth with support from the Board of Governors, Executive Board, and the IMO Secretariat. His remarks at both meetings were followed by candid question and answer sessions. The visit included a tour of the WMU premises and the Henrik Smith student residence, and concluded with a meeting at City Hall with the Mayor of Malmö, Ms Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh.

“It was an immense honour to welcome Mr. Dominguez back to WMU in his first visit as IMO Secretary-General and Chancellor of the University. His maritime vision resonates with, and has inspired, our staff and students. He has our full support and commitment, and we look forward to working with Mr Dominguez to advance the goals of the IMO, WMU, and to support Member States and the broader maritime and oceans community through education, research, and capacity building,” stated President Mejia.

Mr Dominguez is the tenth Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and was elected at the 129th session of the IMO Council in July 2023 for a four-year period beginning 1 January 2024. The election was endorsed by the IMO's Assembly at its 33rd session in December 2023. As Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Mr. Dominguez (Panama) also concurrently serves as Chancellor of WMU.

Through his various roles at the IMO, Mr Dominguez has interacted with WMU on many occasions including serving as a Member of the Board of Governors from 2014 to 2017, and participating in organizing and speaking at the joint IMO-WMU conference IMO-WMU Joint International Academic Conference: Protecting the Ocean - Moving forward at 50: London Convention & Stockholm Declaration as well as participating as a speaker at the University’s 40th anniversary conference, WMU@40 Conference on Maritime and Ocean Sustainability.

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	Issue 89 of Robban Assafina (Jan./ Feb. 2024)