BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Sultanate is committed to cooperating with the international community in addressing the issue of climate change.
He also called for pragmatism and intensified collaboration in the sharing of knowledge, technology and resources so that no nation is left behind and that the burden of responsibility is shared equitably, said Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary Mustapha (pic) at the 33rd Regular Session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly recently.
The assembly held at the IMO Headquarters in London, United Kingdom will continue until Wednesday, where several matters on maritime safety and security, marine environment protection as well as the election of new IMO Council members will be discussed.
Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary is leading the Brunei delegation, comprising officials from the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) and the Maritime and Port Authority (MPABD).
At the assembly, the minister expressed appreciation to the outgoing IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim for his service during his tenure as well as advancing the work in developing IMO’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy, promoting diversity and inclusion in the maritime sector and the designation of seafarers as key workers during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. He also congratulated the newly-appointed IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.
“It’s important to understand that member states are at varying stages of their decarbonisation journey and that technological innovation and the global introduction and accessibility of alternative fuels or energy sources for shipping will be integral to achieve the overall ambition.
"Brunei’s commitment to creating a thriving maritime industry that is both safer and more environmentally sustainable,” said the minister.
Meanwhile, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of merchant shipping and port operations was signed between the MPABD and the Directorate General of Sea Transportation (DGST) of Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation.
Through the MoU, the two countries aim to foster closer cooperation in projects to enhance sea connectivity between the two countries and promote sustainable direct trade activities.
The MoU was signed by Deputy Permanent Secretary (Transport) at the MTIC, in his capacity as the Interim Chief Executive of MPABD Mohammad Salihin Aspar and Director General of Sea Transportation of Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation Dr Captain Antoni Ariff Priadi. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
