Your Excellency the Secretary-General of the IMO,
Honourable Ministers,
President of the IMO Assembly,
Chairman of the IMO Council,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates and observers,
Ladies and gentlemen.
On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of South Africa, I wish to welcome all delegates to this conference. South Africa appreciates the decision of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to host this conference in Cape Town, as recognition of South Africa’s commitment to the objectives of the IMO.
Since the readmission of our country to the United Nations (UN), with the end of apartheid, South Africa has continued to count on the solidarity, friendship and partnership shown by the IMO and its member states.
Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
The proposed agreement to be presented and discussed at this conference has been prepared over the past few years by the Maritime Safety Committee. As you know, it aims to implement the provisions of an existing international law on the safety of fishing vessels that has not yet entered into force, thereby leaving an important sector of the international maritime industry without a binding global regime to ensure safety at sea. This is against the sad reality of the loss of life in the fishing industry, which still remains exceedingly high.
This conference therefore, should emerge with a new agreement to bring into force the measures adopted in Torremolinos more than thirty (30) years ago, taking into account technological advances.
The international community should not miss this opportunity to develop a new framework that will improve the safety of life and property at sea. A new agreement emerging from this conference will in particular benefit poor fishermen, who on a daily basis risk their lives in search of a living.
The IMO spirit of cooperation should prevail throughout this conference, so that this conference can be remembered for concluding the negotiations that have taken place within the IMO for many years. By reaching agreement, the conference will also demonstrate the continued relevance of the IMO, since the safety of people and property at sea also contributes to food security, economic growth and development across the globe.
In the wake of the global economic downturn, which has led to job losses, it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to reverse this trend. The maritime industry must emerge with its own contribution to this collective effort. The conclusion of this agreement therefore will go a long way to strengthen efforts to industrialise maritime resources, especially in the developing world.
Significant progress has already been made in reaching consensus, as the draft document before us already enjoys the broad support of the Maritime Safety Committee. It is therefore still possible to reach agreement and put into effect those provisions that were originally adopted by the IMO years ago.
South Africa is committed to work with other delegates to find solutions to the challenges before us. As the host of this conference, South Africa will rely on the cooperation of all delegations and on the support of the officers of the conference, as well as that of the Secretary-General and the staff of the IMO Secretariat.
We wish you a constructive and productive conference.
Thank you!
