The IMO Compound was established within the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport, as a distinguished entity and it was inaugurated by the IMO Secretary General and his Excellency the Egyptian Minister of Transport in August 2005. Stemming from a desire to promote technical cooperation among developing countries – a target that has always been given a special status ever since it was regarded by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1978 as an undivided part of the development of cooperation – the Government of Egypt, represented by the Ministry of Transport, the International Maritime Organization and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT) have agreed on promoting such technical cooperation mainly in the field of maritime training.
This maritime training is held within the framework of the IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) that aims at assisting developing countries in their endeavors to develop their own human resources and enhance their capacity to comply with international rules and standards.
Being aware that such assistance has to comprise the provision of appropriate equipment and facilities, as well as a high level training of personnel so as to acquire the necessary skills and expertise, it has been agreed that the IMO Compound is to be established within the AASTMT, as a distinguished entity that fosters the promotion of technical cooperation among developing countries.
Thus, the IMO Compound was inaugurated by the IMO Secretary General and his Excellency the Egyptian Minister of Transport in August 2005. The Compound consists of the following:
Representing League of Arab States (LAS) in IMO
According to the Arab Ministers of Transport Council Decision number 250/2005, the Arab Academy represents LAS in the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
For the awareness of the Maritime Transport Sector in the Arab States of the IMO Conventions and decisions taken during the IMO meetings, printed reports in Arabic Language are continuously published to include the follow up summary related to Marine Safety, security, Pollution Prevention, Maritime Education and Training, liability and Fund conventions and all other conventions. Those reports regularly circulated to the Arab countries through LAS
IMO Regional Partnership
Increasing the training opportunities for Candidates from developing countries, which include:
IMO MoU
Thus, the Government of Egypt, the IMO, and the Arab Academy have reached an agreement and signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Egypt on 30th October 2001 to ensure the promotion of the multiple facets of technical cooperation among developing countries.
MoU Achievements & Renewal
The collaboration between the IMO and the Arab Academy – as witnessed in the context of the great success of the Memorandum of Understanding – has resulted in holding successful conferences as well as local and regional workshops where representatives of the Arab, Asian, and African countries participated. The MoU was later renewed for further periods in 2005, 2008, 2011 & 2013, 2015.
MoU Office
An MoU office has been established at the Arab Academy to serve the developing countries in the Arab and African world. The office is a focal point responsible for handling any inquiries or receiving any suggestions that contribute to the technical cooperation and provide the required aids as indicated in the MoU.
Accordingly, the MoU office at the Academy serves as a focal point that reflects the role the IMO plays in the region, through the services rendered by the Academy.
Arabic Publications - IMO Conventions, Resolutions & Circulars
In order to guarantee that the Maritime Transport Sector in the Arab Countries is steadily aware of the IMO Conventions and decisions taken during the meetings, printed publications in Arabic Language have been published.
These publications include a follow-up Arabic summary of the conventions regarding Marine Safety and Security, Pollution Prevention, liability and Fund, etc in addition to brief summaries of Assembly resolutions, and MSC resolutions.
Moreover, brief summaries of MSC Circulars, and other Circulars related to all ships are included, besides any additional requirements concerning specialized ships. Finally, a translation of the circular about documents required to be carried on board is also included.
