Amb. Nancy Karigithu: the promising candidate to run the IMO

On the 18th of July we are going to witness the election of the new Secretary-General of the IMO.

AMB Nancy Karigithu puts forward herself to be elected as Planet Ocean’s top commander, a very promising one! Both her legal as well as technical expertise, needless to mention her experience all these years, can guarantee her election and conversely her performance for this post! Her nomination has been affirmed by the president of the Republic of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto, PhD., CGH.

Here is her promise:

“MY PROMISE
 
I am the Advisor in the Office of the President & Kenya’s Special Envoy for Maritime & Blue Economy, a lawyer and alumni of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Maritime Law Institute. I have a long career spanning over 35 years at the helm of Kenya’s maritime sector ensured that Kenya’s robust participation in IMO deliberations and programs.
 
My candidature for the post of Secretary General, IMO is driven by my passion and desire to take the Organization to the next level, especially at this time when multilateralism is at a crossroads, due to amongst others:
• security issues
• climate change and decarbonization
• welfare of seafarers
• technical cooperation which is central in enabling developing countries realize their ambitions and commitments to IMO programs.

Kenya has long known for its strong record on multi-laterarism and South South Triangular Cooperation, with a long and illustrious history of brokering peace and building consensus in multilateral for a – this is the experience I will be bringing into the IMO leadership.

As a mature experience maritime leader from the global south, neutral, without any personal agenda or vested interest, I am well positioned to build the bridge between the north and the south on contemporary global issues that currently divide IMO Member states, thus a trusted pair of hands.
 
My vision is to ensure that no one will be left behind in the transformation that is happening in the maritime sector. Growing a sustainable and resilient blue economy by fully including women’s potential, will benefit society and the economy, and in turn, advance all 17 SDGs. And this is premised on many reasons, but allow me to cite only a few.

I promise to bring into the leadership of IMO, a more participatory approach, transparency, a sensitive and democratic approach, member States-led decision making with no personal agenda or vested interests, coalitions building with more tolerance and empathy.

Our industry is at a crucial transformative phase, facing an unprecedented challenge – our contemporary maritime work environments will definitely benefit from a leader who portrays the above traits.

My candidature is anchored on five main (5) pillars, namely:
i. Restoration of multilateralism within IMO meetings.
ii. Gender mainstreaming in line with UN SDG 5.
iii. Continued modernization of the IMO Secretariat and streamlining the Organization’s activities with the UN Secretariat in New York.
iv. Ensuring increased participation and involvement of the global south, in IMO decision making meetings and activities.
v. Spearhead the just and equitable transition of the decarbonization of the maritime industry to realize global equity, social justice, technological inclusivity and sustainability.”