The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has completed procedures of nomination for the membership of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)'s Executive Council under the category "B", vying with 11 leading countries in areas of international maritime trade, primarily, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Brazil, Argentine, France and Australia.
The members will be elected during IMO's 30th General Assembly meeting, to be held on November 24-December 5, according to UAE News Agency (WAM).

The decision to get nominated under the Category B comes in fruition of the pivotal role played by the country as a major player in the international maritime trade sector on the back of its prestigious stature as the world's third best in terms of the quality of port infrastructure, Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development, and Chairman of Federal Transport Authority - Land and Maritime, has stated.

"Our resilient infrastructure comes on top of the enablers for growth and competitiveness thanks to the unswerving support lent by our wise leadership in harmony with the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda which aims to ensure provision of integrated infrastructure conducive to ensuring sustainable development," the minister added, noting that the country is home to twenty world-class seaports.

He highlighted the advanced ranking secured by the UAE in the Global Competitiveness Report 2016–2017 issued by World Economic Forum where the UAE comes second to none on the Arab level in terms of the quality of port infrastructure and the third best the world over.

The team in charge of supporting the country's nomination includes representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Energy, the General Authority for the Security of Ports, Borders and Free Zones, Federal Customs Authority, Dubai Maritime City Authority, the Department of Municipal Affairs, ADNOC, DP World, Abu Dhabi Ports, Sharjah Ports and Customs Authority, Saqr Port Authority in Ras Al Kahimah, and the Emirates Authority For Standardization and Metrology, WAM reported.

Source: BNA