Liberia Pays IMO £5.95m -Lighe presents check to IMO’s Dominguez

MONROVIA – Few Liberian institutions command global weight the way the maritime registry does. Liberia has paid the International Maritime Organization (IMO) £5,946,633, about US$7.93 million, in assessed annual contributions. The sum covers roughly 15 percent of the IMO’s operating budget, making Liberia its largest financial contributor. That is a striking position for a country that struggles to fund basic services at home. The payment buys Liberia more than goodwill. Prompt payment keeps that hard-won standing beyond question. It anchors Liberia’s Category-A seat on the IMO Council and its voice on shipping rules. Maritime Commissioner Neto Zarzar Lighe framed the payment as national duty. Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez praised Liberia’s engagement beyond money. THE ANALYST reports.

Demonstrating its unwavering commitment to global maritime standards and international governance, the Republic of Liberia has successfully met its yearly financial obligations to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by remitting £5,946,633 (about US$7.93 million, or L$1.35 billion) in assessed annual contributions.

Presenting a symbolic check to IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, Liberia’s Maritime Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., emphasized that the timely payment demonstrates Liberia’s unwavering commitment to the IMO, its institutional program and the continued advancement of international shipping.

As the world’s largest ship registry, Liberia remains the IMO’s largest financial contributor, with its annual assessed contribution accounting for approximately 15 percent of the Organization’s annual operational budget. Lighe reaffirmed Liberia’s determination to maintain its exemplary standing within the Organization.

Lighe Reaffirms Liberia’s IMO Commitment

“Liberia takes its obligations to the IMO as a serious national obligation. As a global maritime leader and Category-A member of the IMO Council, we remain firmly committed to fulfilling our responsibilities promptly and supporting the Organization’s vital mission of advancing safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally sustainable international shipping,” Lighe stated.

Receiving the symbolic check, Dominguez expressed appreciation to the Government of Liberia for its timely payment and longstanding commitment to the Organization. He acknowledged that Liberia’s contribution extends far beyond its financial obligations.

He praised the country’s active and constructive participation in the IMO’s technical working groups, committees and Council deliberations, describing Liberia’s representation at the Organization as effective, efficient and highly engaged.

He further recognized Liberia’s important role in advancing the IMO’s mandate and strengthening international maritime cooperation.

Kpadeh, Conway Join Commissioner Lighe

Lighe was accompanied to the presentation ceremony by Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the IMO, Ambassador Robert Wilmot Kpadeh; Alternate Permanent Representative Dr. Harry Conway; and staff of the Liberia Permanent Mission to the IMO.

Liberia’s timely payment further reinforces its standing as a responsible flag State, a dependable international maritime partner and a leading voice in global maritime governance.