Directors and Heads of Maritime Administrations from across Latin America have agreed on a common regional agenda for maritime cooperation at the First Joint Meeting of Directors and Heads of Maritime Administrations of Latin America (DAMLA 1), held in Guatemala City, Guatemala (27-29 July).
The meeting culminated in the adoption of an outcome resolution and a regional work plan that establishes the region's shared priorities and actions under IMO's thematic approach to technical cooperation. Developed by and for Member States, the framework will guide future technical cooperation activities in Latin America. The meeting report will be submitted to the seventy-seventh session of IMO's Technical Cooperation Committee (TC 77), to be held in June 2027.
Among its key outcomes, Member States agreed to establish an IMO Regional Presence Office for Latin America to strengthen regional coordination and support the delivery of technical cooperation, reinforcing a more coordinated regional approach to addressing shared maritime priorities.
DAMLA 1 also featured a workshop on gender-responsive leadership, inclusive governance and institutional culture, recognizing that strong maritime administrations are built through both technical capacity and inclusive leadership. Participants welcomed the workshop and supported its continued inclusion in future regional meetings.
By agreeing, for the first time, a common regional agenda supported by clear actions and follow-up, DAMLA 1 has provided the framework for translating regional priorities into coordinated technical cooperation across Latin America.
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