The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has identified seafarers, security, and decarbonization as its top agenda for 2025.

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the IMO made the announcement in a video message, keeping the agenda as the previous year.

"We start 2025 focusing on three main topics, as we were last year," he said.

 "The first one, seafarers, the second one, security around the globe, and the third one, is decarbonisation. When it comes to seafarers, we need to enhance the safety and security of the key personnel on board ships. We also need to focus on increasing the support that we provide to them, not just on decarbonisation, but also when it comes to reducing the criminalization of seafarers; then diversity."

Dominguez noted that progress had been made, particularly when it comes to gender in the maritime sector, but noted the reality that there is "more to come."

"I will continue to be firm on my commitment and my policy of not participating and engaging in panels where there is no female representation," he said.

The IMO chief highlighted that decarbonisation will be the focal point for the UN agency, with significant international expectations to reach agreements on measures for the global industry.

"This is a big year for IMO, and I remain positive that Member States and stakeholders will find common ground and adopt the technical and economic measures  – that will allow the sector to meet the objectives set up in the 2023 GHG strategy, and decarbonising the sector by or around 2050 – this year," Dominguez said.