Senior maritime leaders from across Latin America have gathered in Guatemala City, Guatemala (27 July), for the First Joint Meeting of Directors and Heads of Maritime Administrations of Latin America (DAMLA 1), marking an important milestone in regional maritime cooperation.
Convened by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), in partnership with the Government of Guatemala and the Central American Commission on Maritime Transport (COCATRAM), the meeting brings together the region's maritime administrations for the first time under a single forum to strengthen dialogue, identify common priorities and reinforce regional collaboration.
Opening the meeting through a recorded video message, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez reaffirmed IMO's commitment to supporting Latin American Member States through technical cooperation tailored to regional priorities. He highlighted the importance of working together to build stronger maritime administrations capable of implementing IMO instruments and responding to the evolving needs of the sector.
The meeting reflects IMO's renewed thematic approach to technical cooperation, placing Member States' priorities at the centre of capacity-building efforts while fostering greater regional coordination and partnerships.
DAMLA 1 will conclude on 29 July with participating Member States agreeing on a common way forward to further strengthen maritime cooperation across Latin America.
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