VISITS AT THE HEADQUARTERS IN SEPTEMBER

Solomon Islands

His Excellency Ambassador Moses KOUNI MOSE, Solomon Islands, expressed the privilege of Solomon Islands ratifying the Convention, engaging in the membership of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. He also stressed that the country was made up of hundreds of small Islands surrounded by an immense ocean space, therefore emphasizing the importance to ensure the safety of international shipping for trade and to support domestic shipping, security and travel.

Ms. Agnes Gaote’e, Deputy Director, Solomon Islands Maritime Authority gave a short brief on Solomon Maritime Authority (SIMA) as a Governmental entity. She thanked IALA and the World-Wide Academy for their support and emphasized the importance of their participation to VTS56 and especially the Working Group 3 on Training, which was relevant to help SIMA reach some of their needs and objectives to comply with IALA Standards.

Japan

His Excellency Ambassador SHIMOKAWA Makita congratulated the Secretary-General for the achievement of the IGO. He reiterated the close ties of cooperation that exist between Japan and IALA, and the assurance of their continued support to the Organization. Amongst the topics discussed, we could find the transition period of the IGO, the challenge of AtoN harmonization, the development of unmanned ships and the future of physical AtoN.

The Gambia Maritime Authority is a member of IALA since 2022. They also attended the Diplomatic Conference in Kuala Lumpur 2020 and signed the Final Act. The Gambia delegation met with the Secretary-General to discuss the legal aspects, and the progress made in the ratification process. It was expected that the process could be achieved before the General assembly in Singapore. The delegation was also attending the VTS56, the DTEC3 and the ARM19 Committee meetings.