If time stands still, we’ll keep working harder' – IMO chief

The IMO takes stock after a week without any major breakthroughs on greenhouse gas regulations.

PHOTO: IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez at this week's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82) meeting. IMO

“At the start of this week, one of the comments I heard from the press was that IMO is an organization where time doesn’t move. I hope so, because if that is true then we have even more time to go on working in the very hard and dedicated way we do,” IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said in his closing statement.

Dominguez said the Marine Environment Protection Committee’s 82nd session (MEPC 82) “has been a very friendly one - it has allowed us to identify further areas of convergence on defining the legal framework for the IMO Net Zero Framework, that will effectively guide the next round of dialogue.”

He is convinced that an agreement on mid-term measures will be achieved next year. Dominguez has urged member states to continue to develop these measures in the inter-sessional period.

“Focus on solutions and come along prepared to agree to the architecture of the technical and economic measures - which you have decided to complete by October next year,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez is confident that member states will be able to find a middle ground.

“If not, I am closing the doors next year and we will have to stay here until we do agree - but I am sure it will not get to that. I have great faith in you all,” he concluded.  

By Nithin Chandran

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