Dar Es Saalam, Tanzania – At the close of the 7th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA), Liberia was unanimously nominated by the Conference to host the 8th AAMA Conference in October 2025.
Delegates also nominated Ghana to host the 9th AAMA Conference and 8th General Assembly in 2026.
The just concluded 7th General Assembly has decided to now host the General Assembly biennially while the Conference annually.
The 7th Conference and General Assembly, which brought together 48 African countries and more than 10 regional organizations, was held by the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization.
It was held under the theme “Navigating the Future of Africa’s Maritime Sector: Collaborating on Technology and Innovation to Enhance Safety, Security, Decarbonization and Marine Environment for a Sustainable Future” with the view of unleashing and harnessing the continent’s maritime potentials.
The Conference focused on why the transition to decarbonize international shipping needs to be ‘just and equitable’ considering the potential impacts and opportunities that IMO adopted GHG reduction measures may have on Africa economies, including that on food security.
The decision was reached to ensure benefits be accrued for African countries in terms of capacity building, infrastructural development, and technology transfers.
Furthermore, the Conference stressed the need for gender diversity and inclusivity in the maritime sector and called for greater women participation at all levels; robust implementation of maritime single windows to facilitate maritime trade and commerce within Africa; the need for a sustainable financing framework to accelerate the financing and development of maritime projects within Africa amongst others.
Liberia’s IMO Permanent Representative Robert Wilmot Kpadeh
Ambassador Robert Wilmot Kpadeh, Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) who led the Liberian delegation to the 7th AAMA Conference told reporters that the nomination of Liberia to host the 8th AAMA Conference presents a great opportunity for Liberia to showcase its blue economy and tourism potentials, and also serve as an important platform to project Liberia’s re-election bid to Category A on the IMO Council to the global maritime industry.
“I am just profound pleased that Liberia is regaining its recognition in the International community.” He said.
About 45 African states and several regional and international organizations to include the International Maritime Organization, European Union, African Development Bank, International Shippers Union, and Industry leaders are expected to honor the AAMA-Monrovia Conference.
Amb Kpadeh revealed that the nomination puts Liberia in a better position to showcase the country’s blue economy potentials, water resources, ad to show to world leaders and stakeholders in the maritime industry that Liberia is a place to consider for many things as it relates to the maritime industry.
“what this does in effect is that it puts Liberia in a better position to showcase it blue economy potentials, its water resources, to show to the rest of the world, industrial leaders, shipping companies that look Liberia is the place to consider for many things. You could consider inland waterways, you could look at our beautiful shores for ecotourism, and so this is a very exciting news for the country and not just for the government or maritime authorities.”
According Ambassador Kpadeh said over 40 countries will be troping to Liberia for the conference and that Liberia is likely to have the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in Monrovia to grace the conference.
“We are going to have leaders of the industries, we will have the World Bank, the European Union and you will have a broad spectrum of stakeholders in the maritime industry globally. They will be attending the conference in our country and this is big for Liberia. It promises to be a very one for Liberia that gives our country the opportunity to showcase itself.” He said.
Maritime Commissioner Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr.
At same time, Liberia’s Maritime Commissioner and CEO Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr. has embraced the news with immense incitement and promised to ensure that Liberia offers great hospitality to member states and organizations that will be in attendance.
In a dispatched issued from Dar Es Saalam, Tanzania, Cllr. Lighe said the Liberian Maritime Authority will seize on the opportunity to showcase Liberia’s vast maritime and tourism potentials to the rest of the world.
He thanked Amb. Kpadeh and the entire Liberian delegation in Dar Es Saalam for the able representation which has yielded credible result for the nation as a world.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue, Contributor
