In February 2015, the Secretary-General established the IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador (IMO-GMA) Scheme. It aims to reach new target audiences and inspire a new generation of maritime experts and seafarers.
The multi-faceted maritime world offers a series of rich and fulfilling career opportunities for young people, both at sea and ashore. Seafaring can provide young generations not only with an opportunity to provide for their families but also with unique opportunities to navigate the seas of the globe and encounter the wonders of the world. Other avenues such as marine engineering, naval architecture, and maritime law provide the chance for an exciting and dynamic life in a truly vital professional sphere.
But young people need to be engaged and enthused if they are to see and understand these opportunities. With this in mind, IMO has launched the IMO Maritime Ambassadors scheme.
An IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador is a spokesperson or advocate for the maritime and seafaring professions.
IMO Member Governments and international organizations in consultative status or which have concluded an agreement of cooperation with IMO are invited to participate in the scheme by selecting and identifying “IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassadors” to promote the maritime and seafaring professions and raise awareness of the positive benefits of choosing a career at sea or other maritime professions.
IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassadors are encouraged to share their passion for the maritime world with others, particularly young people who are starting out on their further education, apprenticeships, and career pathways; and to reach new target audiences to educate and inform on the importance of shipping and the role of IMO, and inspire a new generation of seafarers and other maritime professionals.
By reaching out, IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassadors can engage, inspire and call upon young people to consider careers at sea or in the maritime industries. The goal is to reach new target audiences and inspire a new generation of maritime experts and seafarers.
The Member States, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in consultative status with IMO may nominate an IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador for appointment by the Secretary-General.
Persons nominated should be distinguished persons in the maritime community, with the knowledge, expertise, resources, and desire to meet the objectives of the IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador Scheme.
The Maritime League would like to congratulate the four new IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassadors of the Philippines. Of these Ambassadors, VAdm Eduardo Ma R Santos is Chairman and President of the Maritime League.
Four IMO GOODWILL AMBASSADORS OF THE PHILIPPINES have been nominated, and have been appointed by the IMO Secretary-General:
- Ambassador Carlos Salinas, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, The PTC Group of Companies, nominated by the Philippines
- Josephine J. Francisco, President, NYK-FIL Ship Management,
nominated by the Philippines - Vice Admiral Eduardo Ma R Santos, MAAP President and AMOSUP Executive VP, nominated by the Philippines
- Yrhen Bernard Sabanal Balinis, Seafarer,
nominated by the Philippines.
The Philippines has been a cooperative member of the IMO since 1964, and has been an active member of the IMO Council, the executive organ of the IMO, since 1997. The country was successfully re-elected to the IMO Council under Category C in December 2021. The importance of IMO Membership: (a) Privilege to contribute to policy formulation and decision making process of the IMO (i.e. drafting of IMO Instruments, rules, regulations, and resolutions that aim to promote safety and security on ships, seafarers, marine environment, etc.); and (b) Continuously granted voting rights to IMO Council; (c) Venue to promote our seafarers, our Registry, shipbuilding, and ship-repair and other maritime industry in the global maritime world paving the way to more opportunities for Filipinos and the industry; (d) Participation in the advancement of safer ships, the welfare of the seafarers and protection of the marine environment. Nominating entities are responsible, within their own national laws and rules, for ensuring nominees are of the highest moral character and integrity. IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassadors will be appointed for an initial term of two years. Term renewal will be at the discretion of the IMO Secretary-General, based on the performance of the IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador in meeting the objectives of the Scheme. IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassadors shall serve for a maximum of 6 years. Activities consistent with the objectives may include (but are not limited to): (a) visiting local youth groups or other local community groups to deliver a presentation highlighting the importance of the maritime industry; (b) having a stand or giving a talk at a local careersʹ forum, community fair or other local events; (c) visiting local schools and further education colleges; and (d) engaging with local radio, television or newspapers; offer a “day-in-the-life” view of the Goodwill Maritime Ambassador’s profession; (e) visiting local youth groups or other local community groups to deliver a presentation highlighting the importance of the maritime industry; (f) having a stand or give a talk at a local careersʹ forum, community fair or other local events; (g) visiting local schools and further education colleges; (h) engaging with local radio, television or newspapers; offer a “day-in-the-life” view of the Goodwill Maritime Ambassador’s profession.
Source: Presentation by DOTr and MARINA