Seven regional coordinators will serve as "the face of IMO" in the field.
Regional Presence Offices serve seven regions including: the Caribbean; Eastern and Southern Africa; Middle East and North Africa; West and Central Africa (Anglophone); West and Central Africa (Francophone); and the Pacific Islands.
The International Maritime Organization has announced the full team of Regional Coordinators who will lead its seven Regional Presence Offices (RPOs), providing targeted technical support to Member States across the globe.
Regional Presence Offices ensure that IMO support responds directly to the needs and priorities of countries in different regions, while aligning with wider strategic goals of the organization. This includes tailored support for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
As part of a major update to IMO's approach to technical cooperation, Regional Coordinators will now oversee and coordinate IMO activities in their respective regions, across 11 thematic areas ranging from marine environment and ocean governance to maritime safety and security.
IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez welcomed the team, stating: "Regional Presence Offices are no longer simply outposts of the Organization; they are the face of IMO in the field and the bridge between our global priorities and the realities of our Member States."
Putting policy to practice
Gathering altogether for the first time in London from 15 to 16 June, Regional Coordinators exchanged experiences, strengthened their network, and explored ways to boost regional engagement and capacity-building.
They discussed implementation of thematic programmes under the IMO's Technical Cooperation Programme 2026-2027, including in: maritime safety; maritime security; marine environment; climate action; facilitation and trade; law and governance; gender equality; education and training; compliance under IMO's Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS); outreach and partnerships for technical cooperation; and regional presence.
The workshop highlighted new digital tools, such as the Technical Cooperation Portal and Dashboard, created to improve transparency and responsiveness in the delivery of IMO support.
Leveraging regional and maritime expertise
As experts in their fields with deep knowledge of the specific maritime challenges and opportunities in their regions, the seven Regional Coordinators include the newly appointed leads for Regional Presence Offices for the Pacific, East Asia and the Caribbean, alongside the coordinators for both Francophone and Anglophone West and Central; the Middle East and North Africa; and Eastern and Southern Africa.
They include:
Regional Coordinator for East Asia (based in Manila, Philippines)
- Johanna Diwa Acallar is an international development and ocean governance specialist with over 20 years' experience in maritime affairs, sustainability science, capacity development and international cooperation.
Regional Coordinator for the Pacific (based in Suva, Fiji)
- Sitalingi Payne is a seasoned maritime professional with more than 20 years' experience in maritime safety, security, port operations, technical cooperation and regional capacity development across Pacific Island countries.
Regional Coordinator for Eastern and South Africa (based in Nairobi, Kenya)
- Captain Dave Muli is a Master Mariner and maritime transport specialist who manages IMO's regional presence and technical cooperation programmes across 23 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.
