Liberia, UAE Hold Bilateral Maritime Talks in London

In a strategic move to deepen international cooperation, the Republic of Liberia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 134th Session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council currently taking place in London. The high-level engagement was led by Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe Sr., Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), and Her Excellency Hessa Al Malek, Minister of Maritime and Transport Affairs of the UAE. The talks focused on key areas of shared interest, including maritime security, capacity building, sustainable shipping, and avenues for enhanced technical cooperation and information exchange between the two maritime nations. The meeting underscored both countries' commitment to fostering collaboration that promotes innovation, safety, and environmental stewardship within the global maritime industry. Commissioner Lighe expressed appreciation for the UAE’s growing maritime leadership and openness to collaboration. “Liberia values the strategic role of the UAE in global shipping and its forward-looking approach to innovation and sustainability in the maritime space. Our discussion today paves the way for long-term cooperation that will benefit both our nations and the industry at large,” he noted. For her part, Minister Al Malek welcomed Liberia’s proactive stance at the IMO and highlighted the importance of forging partnerships with leading flag states like Liberia. She emphasized the UAE’s interest in sharing technical expertise and investing in human resource development, particularly in areas that support greener and more resilient maritime operations. As the second-largest ship registry in the world, Liberia remains a key player at the IMO, actively participating in shaping global maritime regulations. The UAE, with its strategic geographic location and rapidly growing maritime infrastructure, has positioned itself as a key hub in the Middle East and a global partner in shipping logistics and maritime innovation. Both parties agreed to explore the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the coming months to formalize areas of cooperation and ensure continuity of dialogue at both technical and policy levels. The Liberia Maritime Authority continues to use international platforms such as the IMO Council to advocate for best practices, forge meaningful alliances, and advance Liberia’s standing as a trusted, transparent, and innovative maritime nation.