Arsenio Dominguez

Arsenio Dominguez
Dominguez in November 2023
10th Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2024
Preceded byKitack Lim
Personal details
BornPanama

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]

Education

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]

Career

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]

Secretary-General

Dominguez speaking at the IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction in 2024

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]

In September 2024, he spoke at the launch of the DNV Maritime Forecast event at SMM Hamburg.[24] He called on the maritime industry to maintain faith in the IMO as it continues to lead shipping towards requirements for decarbonisation and environmental protection.[24] Also, in September 2024, Arsenio delivered the opening remarks of the 10th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers.[25] He urged that ships not be targeted because of politics as conflict endangers the lives of seafarers, as well as threaten international food security.[25]

Personal life

Dominguez enjoys playing tennis and watching horror movies.[26] 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.[26]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Mr Arsenio Dominguez (Panama) elected as IMO Secretary-General". International Maritime Organization. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Panama's Arsenio Dominguez voted as next IMO Secretary-General". SeaTrade Maritime. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Panama's Dominguez Elected Next IMO Secretary-General". Maritime Executive. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Arsenio Dominguez wins vote to become next IMO secretary-general". Lloyd's List. Retrieved 30 November 2023.(subscription required)
  5. ^ a b "Arsenio Dominguez Velasco confirmed as next IMO Secretary-General". International Maritime Organization. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Arsenio Dominguez Elected as the next Secretary General of the IMO". Royal Institution of Naval Architects. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Arsenio Dominguez Confirmed as Next Secretary General". India Shipping News. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "Director, Marine Environment Division International Maritime Administration". World Maritime University. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  9. ^ "'We hear you loud and clear,' says incoming IMO chief as Carbon Intensity Indicator gets another public kicking". TradeWinds. Retrieved 1 December 2023.(subscription required)
  10. ^ "Arsenio Dominguez Velasco confirmed as next IMO Secretary-General". Safety 4 Sea. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  11. ^ "2024 Message from IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez". Ship Management International. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Arsenio Dominguez welcomes 2024 with a vision for a sustainable maritime future". Safety 4 Sea. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  13. ^ "IMO Embarks on New Era as Panama's Arsenio Dominguez Starts Leadership Role". Maritime Executive. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  14. ^ "IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez condemns attacks against international shipping". Sea News. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  15. ^ "IMO Secretary-General announces new senior team". Hellenic Shipping News. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  16. ^ "IMO Sec-Gen calls for immediate release of Galaxy Leader and crew". SeaTradeMaritime. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  17. ^ "'Release Galaxy Leader crew immediately', pleads IMO chief". TradeWinds. Retrieved 23 January 2024.(subscription required)
  18. ^ "Red Sea attacks: Seafarers' lives must be protected". United Nations. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  19. ^ "UN maritime chief says striving 'tirelessly' to solve Red Sea Houthi attack crisis". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  20. ^ "Shipping industry on track to cut emissions: IMO chief". The Straits Times. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  21. ^ "IMO chief Dominguez confident on hitting 2030 emissions target". Seatrade Maritime. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  22. ^ "Arsenio Dominguez: Ensuring seafarers' safety is crucial". Safety4Sea. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  23. ^ a b Mandra, Jasmina Ovcina (2024-09-04). "Dominguez: Don't lose faith in IMO ‣ WorldCargo News". WorldCargo News ‣ Leading site for cargo handling industry. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  24. ^ a b Kypriotaki, Anastasia (2024-09-16). "Arsenio Dominguez: Ships must not be targeted due to politics". SAFETY4SEA. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  25. ^ a b "Lessons from a life in shipping: Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general, IMO". Riviera. Retrieved 4 January 2024.