The International Maritime Organization (IMO) inaugurated a new Regional Presence Office (RPO) in Suva, Fiji, marking a milestone for regional maritime cooperation and capacity development in the Pacific.
The Regional Presence Office, hosted by the Government of Fiji and initially based at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) buildings, will support Pacific nations with implementing global regulations and standards in maritime safety and environmental protection, while advancing their maritime sectors.
IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Domiguez, on his first official mission to the Pacific, underlined the central role of shipping and the wider blue economy in the region, especially for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) which are heavily reliant on maritime transportation.
During a commissioning ceremony in Suva, Secretary-General Dominguez said: “This Regional Presence Office will serve as a centre of coordination, knowledge and technical expertise, directly supporting countries and ensuring that the Pacific is part of the shipping evolution… Pacific SIDS and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), have always been a priority for IMO.” (....)