Marrakech - Morocco's Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hakim Hajoui, has been elected first vice-president of the 34th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly. The session opened Monday at the UN agency's headquarters in London.
Hajoui will accompany the Assembly's work and contribute to conducting deliberations for the 2026-2027 period. His election comes as the IMO faces critical decisions on the future direction of global maritime affairs.
The Assembly represents the IMO's supreme governing body. It approves work programs and budgets, determines financial arrangements, and elects the IMO Council. The body brings together all member states and convenes every two years.
Morocco participates in this high-level global gathering through a strong delegation led by Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh. The session focuses on examining future prospects for the maritime sector amid technological changes and growing challenges in the global maritime industry.
Member state representatives will examine strategic priorities for the sector and adopt key resolutions. They will also elect the new IMO Council, for which Morocco is a candidate in Category C.
The Assembly will review a consolidated text of the IMO Convention alongside proposals for revising internal regulations and framework for relations with partner non-governmental organizations.
Member states must also decide on the progressive use of Arabic as a working language to strengthen linguistic diversity within the organization.
Delegates will work on the revised 2024-2029 strategic plan, which sets organizational priorities for maritime safety, marine environment protection, technological innovation, and member state capacity development.
The 2026-2027 budget and work program will also receive examination in a context of energy transition and digitalization of global logistics chains.
The Moroccan delegation includes senior officials from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Ministry of Equipment and Water, State Secretariat for Maritime Fisheries, National Ports Agency (ANP), and Tanger-Med Port Authority.
The Assembly session will continue in London until early December. Participants will address sector evolution prospects and adopt structural decisions for the 2026-2027 biennium.