Media Advisory: IMO at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference

The aim is to promote the role of shipping in ocean protection and highlight maritime actions in the areas of: 

• Tackling underwater noise from ships 

• Marine plastic pollution 

• Spreading invasive marine species (biofouling) 

Media are invited to to engage in IMO events and media opportunities outlined below: 

Media interviews 

Please send any media interview requests for the following IMO spokespersons to jlatusanft@imo.org with CC: media@imo.org. Interview opportunities will depend on schedule and availability: 

• Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, IMO Secretary-General  
  (Topics: all maritime and ocean/climate action issues. Languages: EN, SP) 

• Mr. Fredrik Haag, Head of Ocean Policy and Pollution Response, IMO  
  (Topics: marine pollution, waste dumping, biodiversity, marine geoengineering. Languages: EN, SV) 

• Ms. Gyorgyi Gurban, Head of Project Implementation, IMO  
  (Topics: technical support to developing countries, plastic pollution from ships, underwater noise, biofouling. Languages: EN, HU, DE)  

Media Moments @ SDG MEDIA ZONE 

The following events at the SDG Media Zone offer the opportunity to interact with IMO experts and maritime representatives. They will also be livestreamed online. 

Wednesday, 13h30 - 14h00:  

Press briefing hosted by UNOC featuring - 

• Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, IMO Secretary-General 

• Ms. Martina Donlon, Chief – Climate Section, UN Global Communications, UNOC 3 spokesperson 

Thursday, 11h00 – 11h30: Can shipping save our ocean? 

Media zone session featuring -  

• Dr. Wendy Watson-Wright, Chair of the UN Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) 

• Mr. Simon Doran, Chair of the Global Industry Alliance (GIA) for Marine Biosafety 

• Ms. Gyorgyi Gurban, Head of Project Implementation, International Maritime Organization (IMO) 

Highlighted events (see full list here) 

Ahead of the UN Ocean Conference, IMO Secretary-General is expected to be a keynote speaker in the Blue Economy and Finance Forum 2025 that will be held from 7 to 8 June 2025 in Monaco, France. Key events at UNOC where IMO Secretary-General will speak:

Monday, 9 June 2025, 16h00 – 17h30 

‘Taking action to stop the spread of invasive aquatic species, protect marine biodiversity and support climate action’. Hosted by Norway/Fiji/IMO. 

Presentations on the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl in Nice Harbour. RSVP required. Full programme. 

Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 8h45 – 10h00 

‘Sustainable Shipping: Our ocean - our obligation - our opportunity.’ Hosted by IMO/France/Costa Rica 

Room 4, Blue Zone. Full programme. 

Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 15h00 – 18h00 

Ocean Action Panel 6: ‘Advancing sustainable ocean-based economies, sustainable maritime transport and coastal community resilience leaving no one behind’  

Venue TBC. Concept note. 

IMO and the Oceans 

As the UN agency dedicated to shipping safety and pollution prevention, IMO plays a leading role in protecting the ocean's vital resources. Through international regulations, technical support and global partnerships, IMO is committed to ensuring the oceans remain healthy and sustainable for generations to come.  

Learn all about how IMO is protecting the oceans here.