Thematic Exchange Day: Workshop and exhibition on technical cooperation

IMO invites all delegates registered to the upcoming Technical Cooperation Committee (TCC) to attend the informal Thematic Exchange Day organized around four core themes: Safety, Environment, Security and Facilitation. In addition, there will be a dedicated session on Financing Maritime Development.

The event aims to foster informal dialogue and networking among participants while exploring new thematic and results-based approaches to technical cooperation (TC). Participation in the event is limited to those registered for TCC 75.

Date: 5 June 2025

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.

Place: IMO Headquarters, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR

Please find more details about the event: Circular Letter No.5008.

Media wishing to attend should contact media@imo.org.

Why attend?

Gain a deeper understanding of technical cooperation needs and gaps across the four core themes — Safety, Environment, Security, and Facilitation — informed by IMSAS audit findings, project outcomes, and emerging trends.
Engage in meaningful dialogue around real-world successes and challenges encountered by Member States in the implementation of technical cooperation initiatives.
Connect and exchange ideas through dynamic sessions, exhibits, and interactive discussions — an opportunity to learn from the experiences of others in an informal setting.

Step into the heart of IMO’s work – connect, discover, engage

Join us in the interactive exhibition space for a unique opportunity to engage directly with staff from the IMO Secretariat, WMU, and IMLI while exploring a dynamic showcase of initiatives shaping the future of maritime development, innovation, and sustainability.

Programme and presentations

Please find the provisional agenda here.

09:30 – 09:40 - Opening

Mr. Arsenio Dominguez (Secretary-General, IMO)
Dr. Jose Matheickal (Director, TCID)

09:40 – 10:05 - Building blocks of a Maritime Administration: IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) perspective

Ms. Tatjana Krilic (Deputy Director, Sub-division for Member State Audit and Implementation, TCID)
Mr. Omar Hassein (Head, Sub-division for Member State Audit and Implementation, TCID)

10:05 – 11:00 - Session 1: Safety

Presentation and panel on maritime safety needs, common audit findings, and a successful case study (Vanuatu: SMART-C Leaders)

Moderator: Mr. Sukhjit Singh (Technical Officer, Subdivision for Maritime Development, TCID)

Mr. Ahmed Sewelam (Technical Officer, Sub-division for Member State Audit and Implementation, TCID)
Ms. Seloni Toakuru (Acting Deputy Commissioner/ International and Legal Affairs, Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority)
Ms. Precila C. Jara (Director, Overseas Shipping Service, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippines)
Mr. Alfredo Parroquin-Ohlson (Head, Cargoes and Technical Cooperation Coordination, MSD)

11:00 – 11:30 – Coffee break

11:30 – 12:30 - Session 2: Environment

Presentation and panel on marine environmental needs, common audit findings, and a successful case study (Belize: NAP to reduce GHG emissions from ships)

Moderator: Mr. Tamar Barabadze (Manager, OceanLitter Programme, Subdivision for Maritime Development, TCID)

Mr. Vasudevan Aji (Member State Audit Officer, Sub-division for Member State Audit and Implementation, TCID)
Mr. Kaylon Young (Acting Ports Commissioner, Belize Ports Authority)
Ms. Melissa Barria (Chief, Enforcement and Compliance Department, Panama Maritime Authority)
Mr. Auene Pinehas (Maritime Counsellor and Alternate Permanent Representative of Namibia to IMO)
Mr. Fredrik Haag (Head, Subdivision for Ocean Policy and Pollution Response, MED)

12:30 – 14:30 - Lunch & exhibitions

14:30 – 15:15 – Session 3: Security

Presentation and panel on maritime security national readiness, common needs, and a successful case study (Tanzania)

Moderator: ,Ms. Jean Ver Pia (Head, Asia and Pacific Section, Subdivision for Maritime Development TCID)

Ms. Gisela Vieira (Acting Head, MSD: Maritime Security Section)
Ms. Stella Katondo (Director for Transport Environment and Safety in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Tanzania)
Mr. William Bwala Auta (Alternate Permanent Representative of Nigeria to IMO)
Mr. John Omingo (Alternate Permanent Representative of Kenya to IMO)

15:15 – 16:00 – Session 4: Facilitation

Presentation and panel on maritime facilitation needs, key challenges, and a successful scase study (Antigua and Barbuda)

Moderator: Ms. Issa Mwajita (Head, Africa Section, Subdivision for Maritime Development, TCID)

Mr. Julian Abril Garcia (Head, Facilitation Section, MSD)
Mr. Wayne Mykoo (Deputy Director Maritime Affairs and External Relations, Antigua and Barbuda Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping)
Capt. Mazin Al Kaabi (Maritime Attaché and Alternate Permanent Representative of Iraq to IMO)
Ms. Nurul Fitrah Abd Rashid (Centre Director and First Secretary (Maritime), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore)

16:00 – 16:30 - Coffee break & exhibitions

16:30 – 17:15 - Session 5: Financing Maritime Development

Presentation of a case study (From Concept to Impact – The SENSREC Project) and panel Discussion on the "Impactful Technical Cooperation through Donor's perspective"

Moderator: Ms. Gyorgyi Gurban (Head, Projects, Subdivision for Maritime Development, TCID)

Capt. Kazi A.B.M Shameem (Alternate Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the IMO)
Ms. Siv Christin Gaalaas (Specialty Director International Maritime Regulation and Polar Affairs, Norwegian Ministry of Trade Industry and Fisheries)
Speaker (TBC), EU
Mr. SuHo LEE (Alternative Permanent Representative of Republic of Korea to the IMO)
Ms. Hongbin Zhang (Counsellor (Maritime) Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the UK)
Mr. Youngso Kim (Deputy Director, Office of Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, TCID)

17:15 – 17:25 - Synthesis & way forward

Dr. Jose Matheickal (Director, TCID)

17:25 – 17:30 – Closing

Mr. Arsenio Dominguez (Secretary-General, IMO)

17:30 - Reception