Maldives’ Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Dr Iruthisham Adam, has been elected Second Vice President of the organisation’s 34th General Assembly, held in London on 24 November 2025.

The appointment is considered a significant achievement for the Maldives, giving the country a more prominent role within the world’s principal maritime regulatory body. Diplomats at the meeting noted that the new leadership position reflects the Maldives’ increasing engagement in global maritime policy and its efforts to contribute actively to international decision-making.

In her remarks after the election, Dr Iruthisham Adam thanked the IMO Secretary-General and Member States for their support. She said the Maldives aims to work with all countries to advance issues central to the IMO’s mandate, including maritime safety, environmental protection, and capacity-building initiatives. She underscored that the Maldives would continue advocating for the needs of Small Island Developing States, which are often disproportionately affected by maritime and environmental challenges.

The IMO, established in 1948 as a specialised agency of the United Nations, is responsible for global shipping rules covering vessel safety, maritime security, and the prevention of pollution from ships. The organisation currently has 176 Member States and three Associate Members, with the Maldives having been a member since 31 May 1967.

The Maldives is represented at the Assembly by a delegation led by Captain Abdul Latheef Mohamed, Minister of State for Transport and Civil Aviation. The delegation also includes Permanent Representative Dr Iruthisham Adam, Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Mohamed Ahmed, Maldives Ports Limited Chief Operations Officer Hassan Muzni Mohamed, First Secretary Sara Ahmed Khalid, and Second Secretary Fathimath Zeyna Abdulla Saeed from the Maldives High Commission in London.

The 34th Session of the General Assembly brings together maritime policymakers and technical experts from around the world to review ongoing regulatory work, adopt new instruments, and elect members to key committees and leadership positions for the coming term.