...the diplomat

PHL diplomat nominated for key post of UN maritime agency

 

 

05/05/2011 

 GMANews.tv

 

 

The Philippine government has formally nominated Filipino diplomat Neil Frank Ferrer for the post of Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency for maritime safety.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday, “As a maritime nation and as the largest provider of highly qualified seafarers to the international shipping industry, the Philippine Government attaches utmost importance to his candidature."

"His nomination was endorsed by President Benigno S. Aquino III," the DFA said in a news release on its website.

The IOM said the elections will be conducted during the 106th session of the IMO Council in June 2011.

Ferrer is currently the chairman of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), the IMO senior technical body for maritime safety and security.

Aquino, in a letter to current Secretary-General Efthimios Mitropoulos, cited Ferrer’s 20-year experience in dealing with maritime issues.

“During the past decade, he has intensively focused on the work of the IMO, initially in his capacity as Alternate Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the IMO and later as Chairman of the Maritime Safety Committee," the DFA said.

“(Ferrer) has excellent management and leadership qualities allowing the MSC to effectively resolve complex, technical, and at times politically-sensitive, issues under its agenda," the DFA said.

“Mr. Ferrer has the experience, expertise and capability to effectively serve the IMO. As chairman of the senior technical committee of the organization, he has demonstrated effective leadership, management and administrative skills. His competence, professionalism, integrity and independence are well-established," the DFA said.

“If elected to the post of Secretary-General, he will be working towards making the IMO a stronger and more efficient Organization that effectively responds to the priorities and concerns of its Member States and the international maritime community," the DFA added. - VVP, GMA News