The IMSO Director General presents his compliments and has the pleasure to advise IMSO Member States, Observers and other interested parties that he has participated in a number of high level diplomatic visits, since his appointment on 15 April 2015.
On 15 April 2015, the Director General hosted a welcome reception to which the Ambassadors and/or High Commissioners and Permanent Representatives to IMO of each IMSO Member State were invited together with other important guests such as representatives of Inmarsat.
The Director General has subsequently hosted visits by a number of Ministers, Ambassadors and High Commissioners as reported in the following paragraphs. Such visits are aimed at sharing information on the role of IMSO in relation to the oversight of certain public satellite safety and security services provided by mobile satellite communication systems, particularly Inmarsat; the role of IMSO as Coordinator of the Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT) System to ensure the operation of the international LRIT system worldwide; and issues of mutual cooperation between Member States and the Organization.
When possible, the opportunity was taken to introduce representatives of Inmarsat to discuss matters of mutual interest and to tour the Inmarsat Satellite Control Centre.
Visit of the Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran On 29 April 2015, the Director General received a visit from H.E. Mr Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, London, accompanied by Mrs Mandana Mansoorian, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to IMO and Mr Seyed Ali Mousavi, Legal Advisor and Liaison Officer to IMO.
Visit of the Minister of Climate Change of Vanuatu
On 15 May 2015, the Director General received a visit from the Minister of Climate Change of Vanuatu, the Hon. Mr. James Bule, accompanied by Political Adviser, Mr. Noel Lango and the Permanent Representative of Vanuatu to IMO, Mr Laurent Parente.
Visit by the High Commissioner of Cameroon
On 30 July 2015, the Director General received a visit from the High Commissioner of Cameroon, His Excellency Mr Nkwelle Ekaney.
Visit by the Minister (Commercial) of the Sri Lanka High Commission On 20 August 2015, the Director General received a visit from the Minister (Commercial) of the Sri Lanka High Commission, Mr. Nimal Karunatilake.
Visit by the Ambassador of Turkey
On 8 September 2015, the Director General received a visit from the Ambassador of Turkey, His Excellency Mr Abdurrahman Bilgiç, accompanied by First Secretary Mrs Nermin Köşker.