IMO appointed new Secretary-General

Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco from Panama was appointed as the new Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Finland's candidate, Minna Kivimäki, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, was among those not chosen for the post.

The IMO Council elected the Secretary-General in London on 18 July 2023. There were altogether seven candidates for the post. 

“I would like to extend my warm congratulations to the new IMO Secretary-General Dominguez. The active cooperation between Finland and IMO will continue with him,” says Permanent Secretary Kivimäki.

“I would particularly like to thank the Finnish shipping community for its extensive support during my campaign. Together, we have highlighted both Finnish expertise and the priorities Finland focuses on in the development of maritime transport. Our goal is that Finland could promote shipping as a Member of the IMO Council,” Kivimäki says.

Finland is seeking membership in the IMO Council for the 2024–2025 term. 

Finland’s campaign for the Council membership has three focus points:
1. Sustainable shipping – a necessity and an opportunity
2. New technologies – harnessing the potential to promote safety and wellbeing
3. Education and equality at the heart of maritime transport

Next steps

The new Secretary-General will take office on 1 January 2024. The Secretary-General is elected for a term of four years.

The new Council Member States will be elected in December 2023.

Inquiries:

Eero Hokkanen, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 021, [email protected]