The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is set to launch a new Regional Presence Office (RPO) in Alexandria, Egypt, to serve the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The office’s establishment follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the IMO headquarters in London earlier this month, as announced by the Egyptian Ministry of Transport.
The main objectives outlined in the MoU are focused on enhancing institutional capacity-building and promoting overall maritime development in the MENA region. Additionally, the office aims to strengthen self-reliance within the maritime sector at national, subregional, and regional levels.
The signing ceremony was attended by key officials, including Ambassador Sherif Kamel, Egypt’s Ambassador in London; Admiral Reda Ahmed Ismail, Head of the Maritime Transport Sector; and Kitack Lim, the Secretary-General of the IMO. The new RPO in Alexandria is expected to start its operations by the end of the year, and its presence is anticipated to facilitate and advance maritime activities and cooperation in the MENA region.
