London: Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Eng. Kamal Al-Junaidi chaired a series of meetings of the 51st Advisory Committee of the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO), held from June 9 to 13, 2025. He became the first Arab to preside over this meeting-a milestone for both the Kingdom and the Arab world in international maritime governance.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Engineer Al-Junaidi's chairing of the IMSO Advisory Committee meetings reflects the Kingdom's leading presence in international maritime organizations and its active role in advancing maritime communication and safety systems. He was responsible for managing the sessions and acting as a neutral facilitator to promote consensus among member states on several key issues, most notably the oversight of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), the implementation of Long Range Tracking and Safety (LRTS) standards, and the review of audit processes for satellite communication service providers.
Engineer Al-Junaidi also oversaw discussions on proposed amendments to maritime safety regulations, monitored the strategic directions of IMSO to ensure alignment with IMO standards, and submitted the committee's recommendations to the organization's General Assembly for approval. The 51st session, which commenced on Monday at the IMO headquarters, convenes representatives from 44 countries. Throughout this gathering, participants are engaging in comprehensive discussions on various pressing issues impacting the maritime sector.