NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 18 — The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has named Panama’s Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco as the organization’s next Secretary General pending approval by the Assembly.
Dominguez bagged a 4-year term set to commence on January 1, 2024 after emerging victorious in an electoral contest against Kenya’s African Union-endorsed candidate Amb Nancy Karigithu.
The IMO Council, the organization’s executive organ comprising 40 members, voted on the Secretary General slot during the 129th Session plenary in London, United Kingdom.
Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya represented Kenya.
Karigithu, a marine expert serving as President William Ruto’s advisor on maritime affairs, officially announced her candidacy in May 2023.
Banking on the AU endorsement, Karigithu was seeking to succeed the current Secretary-General, Kitack Lim from the Republic of South Korea, whose term concludes later in 2023.
“I strongly believe that with my experience in the maritime sector spanning over 36 years, I am in a position to become the next Secretary General of IMO. I have competency and attributes for this top UN position,” she said.
During the bid launch on May 17, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua emphasized President Ruto’s support, highlighting that Karigithu’s nomination holds significant importance in advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
“I wish to restate Kenya’s commitment to the protection and promotion of our shared and common maritime security interests under international law that will allow for optimal exploitation of the blue economy. Amb. Karigithu’s candidature provides a firm, dependable and experienced safe pair of hands in this regard,” Mutua said.
Amb. Karigithu’s profile
As the Principal Secretary and Special Envoy for Maritime and Blue Economy, Karigithu expressed optimism that Africa and particularly female leaders will garner support from other regions.
If successful, Karigithu will be the first woman and African to hold the position in the worldwide organsation devoted to safety, security, and environmental protection in the maritime industry.
Others in the race are: Moin Uddin Ahmed (Bangladesh), Suat Hayri Aka (Turkey), Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco (Panama), Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry (Dominica), Minna Kivimäki (Finland) and Zhang Xiaojie (China).
In her lengthy career in the marine sector, Karigithu has held several positions including a tenure as Director-General of the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), State Counsel in Kenya’s State Law Office, Senior Legal Officer, and Assistant Corporation Secretary at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
