On March 3, the President of Ukraine signed a decree on the appointment of Valery Zaluzhny by a permanent representative of Ukraine under the International Maritime Organization (IMO). At the same time, he will hold the position of Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom in combination.
The appointment of Zaluzhny to this position is a significant step for Ukraine in Russian aggression. Ukraine is actively expanding its diplomatic presence in international organizations to strengthen support on the world stage and strengthen the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.
The International Maritime Organization is a specialized UN institution dealing with sea safety and environmental pollution. Considering the importance of maritime logistics for the Ukrainian economy, representation in IMO is critical for defending the interests of the country, in particular in the fields of navigation and safety of ports.
The main tasks of Zaluzhny in the position of representative of Ukraine at IMO:
- Defending Ukraine's interests in the field of maritime security.
- Cooperation with international partners to guarantee the safety of navigation.
- Counting Russian attempts to limit Ukraine access to international maritime routes.
- Work on improving environmental standards in the field of maritime transportation.
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The Zaluzhny will be expected to start his duties in London, where IMO headquarters are located in the near future. Ukraine is counting on active support from this organization in the safety of navigation and sanction policy on Russia.
