The Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) participates in the visit made by the IMO Secretary-General to Iraq

As part of the historic visit by the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, to Iraq from 16-18/02/2025, which is the first of its kind by a senior official from the organisation to the Iraqi ports since the establishment of the organisation in 1958.

The IMO Secretary General conducted an inspection tour, accompanied by the Minister of Transport, Mr. Razzaq Muhaibs Al-Saadawi, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the organisation, Ambassador Mohammad Jaafar Al-Sadr, the Governor of Basra, Mr. Asaad Al-Eidani, the Director General of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, Engineer Farhan Al-Fartousi, and a number of Iraqi officials. During the tour, they reviewed the progress of work on developing Iraq’s ports, including the Grand Faw Port, which is considered one of the strategic projects in the region, as well as the Umm Qasr ports and the Grand Reception Area. They also discussed ways to enhance future cooperation to strengthen Iraq’s ports’ capacity to handle international trade traffic. Additionally, they visited the submerged tunnel and the construction works in the project.

The IMO Secretary General was impressed by the developments taking place in Iraq, emphasising his desire for joint cooperation between the organisation and Iraq’s ports. He praised the progress in Iraq and the continuity of work, noting that he looks forward to visiting Iraq again and invited Iraqi officials to visit the international organisation in London.

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Iraq to the International Maritime Organisation in London delivered the 1966 Loading Lines Convention and its 1988 amended Protocol with the organisation’s Secretariat at its headquarters in London on 13/02/2025. This is the latest convention ratified by Iraq. With this delivery, the total number of conventions and protocols ratified by Iraq since 2021 has reached 18, and Iraq has ratified all the conventions and protocols covered by the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS), which Iraq will undergo in November 2025. Experts from the organisation will assess Iraq’s compliance with international maritime conventions. This process aims to reinstate Iraq on the white list of IMO member states, enhancing Iraq’s position in the international community and reflecting its full commitment to the IMO’s goals of sustainable development through marine environmental protection and maritime safety and security. It also aims to raise the Iraqi flag on its vessels operating in international trade.