Kenyan guns for top position at UN's maritime body

A Kenyan is banking on his long-time experience to be the next secretary-general of a UN body charged with managing global maritime safety.

The 40-member Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is set to elect a new boss on June 30 and Mr Juvenal Shiundu says his past job at the organisation can stand him a good stead.

“I am fully aware of what the office entails and requires of me; and I am prepared to take on the varied challenges, having been deeply associated with the organisation for almost 30 years, both as an outsider and as a staff member,” he told a gathering of diplomats in London on Wednesday evening, according to a statement.

“I possess the right combination of competencies in terms of education, skills, and experience to guarantee executive leadership delivery backed by diplomacy. I am a naval architect with previous roles in maritime administration, flag and port-state implementation,” he pitched his candidature.

Mr Shiundu, who is currently the deputy director of the technical cooperation division at IMO, spoke at a dinner hosted to launch his campaign, and which was attended by Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia.

Mr Macharia told the audience that the Kenyan government had full confidence in the candidate.

If he gets it, he will replace Japan’s Koji Sekimizu, whose four-year term is expiring, to be the eighth Secretary-General of IMO.

But he is facing competition from five other candidates, four of who come from countries categorised by the IMO as having the largest interest in providing international shipping services.

He will be against Cypriot Andreas Chrysostomou who currently works as the Acting Director of the Department of Merchant Shipping (DMS); Mr Andreas Nordseth of Denmark who is the Director-General of the Danish Maritime Authority, Mr Maximo Mejia of Philippines (head of Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Russia’s Vitaly Klyuev who is the Deputy Director of the Department of State policy for maritime and river transport) as well as Mr Lim Ki-tack, who manages a ports authority in South Korea.

In his speech though, Mr Shiundu told a gathering of diplomats and UN representatives that background as a naval architect will steer IMO to tackle current sea transport.

The maritime transport is currently facing challenges of illegal migrations through seas on rickety boats, illegal dumping of wastes in high seas as well as sea piracy.

STANDARDS ON SHIPPING MATTERS

The IMO is supposed to set standards on safety, security and environmental issues surrounding shipping. For example, it may determine the design, material, communication language and equipment, qualifications for operation and disposal of sea vessels to ensure safety.

Although it may create regulation, the 171-member UN body relies on members to execute its plans.

Mr Juvenal says he will focus on cooperation with other global bodies and States to compensate for IMO’s weaknesses in reach.

“I hail from an African developing country that has made great advances in fighting terrorism and piracy; enhancing economic growth and effective governance in the maritime sector with the support of IMO Member States,” he argued.

Mr Shiundu, a naval architect, studied at the University of Newcastle in the United Kingdom and the World Maritime University in Sweden.

He has 17 years in development co-operation work technical assistance programmes within the UN.

His CV also indicates he has been involved in drafting the concept paper for the Lamu Port-Southern Sudan- Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor project, having campaigned to establish IMO’s regional presence in Africa through offices in Kenya, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

Recently, the Pan African Association for Port Cooperation (PAPC) endorsed him for the post.