Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 12) - Closing remarks

ADDRESS OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AT THE CLOSING OF THE TWELFTH SESSION OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON SHIP DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION (SDC 12), 19 to 23 January 2026

Delivered by IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez on 23 January, 2026

Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

As we conclude the twelfth session of the Sub Committee on Ship Design and Construction, I wish to acknowledge a few important matters.

Firstly, this session marks a significant milestone with the finalization of the Guidelines for the Use of Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP) within Ship Structures, drawing on the valuable experience gained during the application of the current Interim FRP Guidelines.

Equally noteworthy is the progress made during the Experience Building Phase (EBP) on Underwater Radiated Noise (URN). The Sub-Committee’s work is instrumental in supporting the wider IMO objective of reducing the impact of shipping on the marine environment, including vulnerable species. Your agreement on a two year extension of the EBP, will now need to be approved by the Marine Environment Protection Committee.

You have also finalized the draft Guidelines on the Use of Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT) for ESP surveys. The Guidelines will enhance the efficiency and safety of survey processes by enabling the use of modern inspection technologies, while ensuring robust standards for data quality and oversight remain in place.

Further, I commend the Sub-Committee for completing the draft amendments to MSC resolution on means of access for inspections, and for finalizing the draft Explanatory Notes for Safe Return to Port and Orderly Evacuation and Abandonment after a Fire or Flooding Casualty. These important instruments will support consistent implementation of SOLAS requirements and strengthen the safety of passenger ships.

Another major achievement of this session is the completion of the work plan for the development of a safety regulatory framework to support the reduction of GHG emissions from ships using new technologies and alternative fuels. This will ensure that safety considerations evolve in parallel with the rapid technological progress driven by the Organization’s GHG Strategy.

My sincere appreciation to you, Chair, Mr. Erik Tvedt of Denmark, and to your Vice Chair, Mr. Charles Rawson of the United States, for steering this Sub Committee with professionalism, deep subject matter expertise, tact, and a consistently positive attitude. As this is the Vice Chair’s final session, I wish Mr. Rawson every success in his future endeavours. I also warmly congratulate the re-elected Chair, Mr. Tvedt, and look forward to your continued leadership when you chair SDC 13 next year.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Chairs of the working, expert and drafting groups:

Ms. Therese Bornemann-Christensen (Denmark);
Mr. Alexander Dierichs (Germany);
Mr. Sifis Papageorgiou (Norway);
Mr. Charles Rawson (United States) and
Ms. Marie-Lucie Susini (Belgium).

As always, this is also an opportune moment to express our gratitude to those delegates who are leaving and concluding their tenure with us and for whom this marks the final session of the Committee:

Captain Adriano Pires da Cruz, Alternate Permanent Representative (Brazil) is retiring. Thank you very much for everything and hope to see you again in the future.

A number of long-serving IMO staff are also due to retire, and I would mention, in particular:

Ms. Maria Nelia Adams, Meeting Services and Interpretation Section, Conference Division; and
Mr. Antonio Paoletti, Meeting Services and Interpretation Section, Conference Division

whose contributions to the work of the Organization have been appreciated by all concerned. I am sure you all join me in wishing them well for the future.

Before we conclude today’s session, I would like to take a moment to recognize and bid farewell to an exceptional colleague, Mr. Antonio Paoletti, whose contribution to the Conference Division and to the work of the Organization more broadly has been truly outstanding.

Although Antonio will formally retire at the end of January 2026, this meeting marks his final sessions supporting the work of the Organization in this capacity.

Antonio joined the Organization in March 1991, beginning his career as a Conference Messenger/Clerk, and has since devoted 34 years of continuous service to IMO. His career path is a testament to dedication, perseverance, and merit. He progressed steadily through Conference Services: following the establishment of the Registration Unit, he was appointed Supervisor, before moving to the Professional category as a Conference Officer. He later became Head of Section, Meetings and Interpretation Section, and, most recently, Acting Head of the Meetings Support Section, a role he has performed with distinction.

Over the course of his career, Antonio has served under seven Directors of the Conference Division and five Secretaries-General, providing continuity, sound judgment, and trusted leadership through decades of institutional change. His practical understanding of conference servicing, and his deep knowledge of the Organization’s procedures and working methods, are exceptional.

Antonio has also been instrumental in the modernization of conference services, including the transition from fully physical meetings to hybrid meeting capabilities. His leadership was particularly important during the COVID-19 period, helping to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of meeting services under unprecedented conditions.

Crucially, Antonio’s work has consistently helped IMO deliver on its multilingual mandate. Through careful planning and day-to-day coordination, particularly, in ensuring that interpretation services are appropriately arranged and supported - he has helped enable inclusive and effective participation by Member States in our meetings across languages. This contribution, essential to the integrity and accessibility of our work, has been delivered with quiet efficiency and unfailing reliability.

Beyond systems and processes, Antonio is widely respected for his leadership of people, marked by fairness, calm authority and professionalism. Colleagues also know him for his warmth and dry sense of humour - often expressed through his distinctive turns of phrase, no doubt reflecting his Tuscan roots - as well as for the energy and enthusiasm he brings to everything he does.

Outside the workplace, his energy is well known - from his long-standing passion for rugby, including coaching, to his enthusiasm for motorcycling and sailing.

On behalf of the Secretariat and the entire IMO family, I would like to say: thank you, Antonio, for your outstanding service and enduring commitment to the work of the Organization. It has been a privilege to work alongside you. We wish you all the very best in your well-deserved retirement ahead.

[Intervention by Mr. Paoletti]

Finally, my deep appreciation goes to the staff of the Secretariat, within and beyond the Maritime Safety Division, for their professionalism, dedication and support. Their efforts ensure the smooth functioning of our meetings and help ensure that your important work can proceed effectively. I also take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the interpreters, who once again have facilitated our seamless communication during our meeting.

I wish you all a restful weekend, and a safe journey to your destinations.

Thank you.

***