By George C Flomo
MONROVIA – Liberia which holds Category A seat on the IMO Council is opting to maintain the position as stakeholders move for election this December in Monrovia.
The Category A is a prestigious classification shared by major maritime powers such as the United States, China, and France, reserved for countries with the greatest interest in maritime services and policy.
Making the announcement last week at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism regular media briefing, Liberia’s permanent representative to the IMO, Robert W. Kpadeh outlined two key reasons why Liberia deserves to retain its Category A seat: first, the country maintains the world’s second-largest ship registry with over 5,000 vessels; and second, Liberia is the IMO’s top dues payer.
“Just yesterday, we fully settled our dues – over five million British pounds, equivalent to more than seven million U.S. dollars,” he reported.
He said Liberia stands proudly as the voice of Africa in that council, as the country continues to use its position to influence key decisions affecting international maritime affairs.”
Kpadeh announced that Liberia has launched an aggressive global campaign to retain its seat.
“We are reaching out to the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and the European Union to galvanize support. We are not campaigning for personal or political glory — this is about national pride and international relevance,” he said.
He said Liberia is set to take center stage in global maritime affairs as the country prepares to host the 8th Conference of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) from September 30 to October 4, 2025.
Kpadeh expressed deep gratitude to President Joseph N. Boakai for the opportunity to serve as Liberia’s representative to the IMO.
“I have the honor to serve as Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the IMO, and let me give my deepest appreciation to the President of the Republic, H.E. Joseph N. Boakai, for the confidence he placed in me to represent our country on such a critical and significant global stage,” he stated.
Mr. Kpadeh highlighted the importance of the IMO, a specialized UN agency founded in 1958 to ensure the safety and security of international shipping and to protect the marine environment.
He emphasized Liberia’s historical and strategic role within the organization, noting its longstanding maritime legacy and leadership.
Reflecting on his tenure, Kpadeh said, “It’s been one year and one month since I was appointed, and I’m proud to report that Liberia’s permanent mission in London is strong, vibrant, admired, and respected. Our presence at the IMO has raised Liberia’s profile and reinforced our leadership among the 180 member states.”
According to Kpadeh, Liberia’s team has worked diligently to rebuild the nation’s image at the IMO by engaging with member states and strengthening ties with the Secretary General, H.E. Arsenio Dominguez. “We made it a priority to participate actively in sessions, committees, and negotiations to ensure Liberia’s voice was heard and respected,” he added.
Kpadeh announced that the country has launched an aggressive global campaign to retain its seat.
“We are reaching out to the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and the European Union to galvanize support. We are not campaigning for personal or political glory — this is about national pride and international relevance,” he said.
Liberia also chairs the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), the largest and most critical of the five constitutional committees. “This is a clear testament to the trust and recognition Liberia commands within the IMO,” Kpadeh added.
The official launch of Liberia’s re-election campaign is scheduled for May 26, 2025. “We will host a high-profile event covered by global media including BBC and Al Jazeera, and we anticipate the participation of distinguished guests from Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Liberia Maritime Authority, and leading global maritime institutions,” Kpadeh said.
In another major announcement, Kpadeh confirmed that Liberia will host the 8th AAMA Summit this year. The Association of African Maritime Administrations includes nearly 50 member states. Liberia was selected from among four finalists — Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Liberia — due to its consistent demonstration of leadership in the maritime space.
“This is a defining moment for Liberia,” Kpadeh said. “We will welcome delegates from across Africa, Europe, and beyond – including Secretary General Dominguez himself. This summit presents an opportunity to showcase our nation’s capabilities and foster greater continental and global maritime collaboration.”
As Liberia positions itself as a global maritime leader, Kpadeh called on citizens and the media for their support and prayers. “When Liberia rises, it’s a victory for all Liberians — regardless of status, background, or political affiliation. Let’s stand together and keep raising our country’s flag high.”
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