Islamabad: Arsenio Dominguez, the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has expressed his organization’s full support for Pakistan’s maritime industry during his participation in the International Maritime Sustainability Exhibition and Conference (IMSEC). Dominguez attended the first day of the conference in Islamabad and is scheduled to continue his participation in Karachi for the subsequent days. The event began with a breakfast hosted by Pakistan’s Minister for Maritime Affairs, followed by a joint press conference where Dominguez committed to addressing the challenges faced by Pakistan’s maritime sector in collaboration with the local ministry.

According to Press Information Department, the conference commenced with remarks from the Minister for Maritime Affairs, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, who discussed the global maritime industry’s shift towards decarbonization and its impact on ship recycling activities. Sheikh emphasized the need for cooperation among IMO member states and financial institutions to make ship recycling environmentally sustainable and economically viable. He also highlighted the achievements of Pakistan’s maritime training institutions and the country’s contribution of approximately 25,000 qualified seafarers to the international fleet.

Secretary General Dominguez reiterated the IMO’s commitment to enhancing maritime trade and recycling capabilities in Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of protecting the maritime environment and maintaining sustainable practices within the sector. The closing speech by the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan underscored the country’s vulnerability to climate change and its efforts to modernize the fisheries and shipbreaking sectors through advanced technology. The Deputy Prime Minister also pointed out significant investment opportunities within Pakistan’s port sector, which is increasingly being recognized as a hub for regional and international trade.