Visit by the United Arab Emirates

The Director, Mr Gaute Sivertsen, was delighted to welcome a large delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a meeting at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on 28 November 2022.

The delegation included H.E. Hessa AlMalek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, several other senior representatives from that Ministry, and from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Head of the UAE delegation to IOPC Funds meetings, Mr Mohamed Khamis Saeed AlKaabi, who has chaired the IOPC Funds Credentials Committee in the past.

The Director took the opportunity to first provide an overview of the role of the IOPC Funds before expanding on the current issues and challenges facing the organisation. He also discussed the specific status of the Conventions and relationship of the UAE with the IOPC Funds.  As a 1992 Fund Member State, the UAE regularly participates actively in the meetings of the governing bodies, has submitted its latest oil reports and liaises frequently with the Secretariat.

Mr Sivertsen answered various questions from the participants regarding the scope of the 1992 Conventions and admissibility of claims under certain situations. He offered the continued support and services of the Secretariat and expressed his appreciation for the ongoing engagement and cooperation between the UAE and the IOPC Funds.