London 5 April 2024. The Cuban Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ismara Vargas Walter, presented today before the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the letters accrediting her as Permanent Representative of Cuba to the Organisation.
At the meeting, the Ambassador stressed the importance that Cuba attaches to the IMO in its efforts to develop maritime transport and comply with international standards. She reiterated the country's interest in continuing to participate in cooperation activities within the framework of the IMO, as well as its willingness to participate in triangular cooperation actions with maritime authorities of the region and the Member States that are in a position to do so.
He also discussed the restrictions imposed by the blockade on the Cuban maritime sector and the additional effects caused by Cuba's inclusion on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. He took the opportunity to thank the Secretary-General and his team for their contribution to the UN Secretary-General's annual report on the implementation of the Resolution against the Blockade.
The IMO, which has 176 Member States, is the United Nations specialised agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and is the global standard-setting authority for safety, security and environmental performance for international shipping. Its current Secretary-General, Panamanian Arsenio Dominguez, took office on 1 January 2024. Cuba has been a member of the Organisation since 1966.