High Commissioner addressed the 33rd Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama addressed the 33rd Assembly of the IMO on 29 November 2023.
While recognizing the importance of the maritime industry in global trade and sustainable development, High Commissioner reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to actively contributing to the IMO’s objectives and initiatives towards a safer, more secure, and more environmentally sustainable maritime domain. Sri Lanka actively works towards implementing the IMO’s initial GHG (greenhouse gas) Strategy in order to mitigate climate change challenges, High Commissioner added.
High Commissioner conveyed Sri Lanka’s objection to the Proposal of some of the Maritime Industry Sector INGOs to shift the Traffic Separation Scheme off Dondra Head of Sothern Sri Lankan Waters, which was considered during the 80th Session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of IMO in July 2023. High Commissioner acknowledged the countries that supported Sri Lanka’s position during the consideration of the proposal and informed the Assembly that a strategic plan has been endorsed to effectively coordinate with IMO, local and international stakeholders. The goal of this research is to address the concerns of interested parties by conducting a comprehensive science-based study of the marine environment in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, including areas where TSS is located.
The 33rd Assembly of the IMO started on 27 November 2023 will continue until 6 December 2023.
High Commission of Sri Lanka
London
30 November 2023
