
A Monegasque delegation, composed of Isabelle ROSABRUNETTO, Director General of the Department of External Relations and Cooperation, and Armelle ROUDAUT LAFON, Director of Maritime Affairs, participated in the 34th Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), held from November 24 to December 3, 2025, at its headquarters in London.
France has assumed the presidency of the IMO for the upcoming biennium, and H.E. Marine DE CARNE, former Ambassador of France to Monaco, was elected to this position, with the support of Monaco.
Key topics discussed included:
Maritime safety, focusing on the rise of “shadow fleets,” piracy, and communication interference.
Technological developments, with emphasis on the need to support developing countries in adapting to these changes.
Air pollution from ships, a challenging issue on which no consensus was reached due to the higher cost of clean fuels.
Monaco also joined the “Quiet Ocean” coalition, led by Canada and Colombia, which aims to reduce shipping noise harmful to cetaceans. This initiative aligns with Monaco’s long-standing environmental efforts, notably through ACCOBAMS and Pelagos agreements.
Finally, the Executive Council elections renewed its 40 members, distributed across three groups based on fleet tonnage and ensuring geographic balance. Elections are increasingly competitive, and European countries face challenges maintaining influence against the weight of oil-rich nations.