Getting Liberia Back On The IMO Council Optimistic Moses Owen Browne Looks Deep Into His IMO Priorities

Despite a huge Maritime reputation, Liberia was found wanting and lost her Category C seat on the Council at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London. This will mean the country that prides itself as the second biggest maritime registry will sit back awaiting her turn and watch countries with special interests in maritime transport or navigation run the show on the council for the next two (2) years.
Of course, wining back a seat on this prestigious IMO Council is no mean feat. And whoever that heads the London team must possess a strong lobbying prowess and diplomatic niche in order to pull the right strings and get the country reelected in 2022.
For Moses Owen Browne, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) designate, getting Liberia back on the council is one of his foremost priorities because he knows it will amongst many others; earn him a laudable pat on the back.
In an interview with journalists in Monrovia, Amb. Browne says “For those who may not be familiar with the highly specialized nature of the 174-Member State United Nations body, IMO’s mandate focuses on uniformly regulating global maritime transport standards. Its treaty obligations address maritime safety and anti-pollution measures within the scope and framework of Conventions and associated protocols. Liberia has participated consistently in all aspects and dimensions of the Organization’s work: crafting and sustaining an enduring and uniform regulatory framework designed to update existing regulations or develop and adopt new ones”.
According to Liberia Permanent Rep, The Liberian Permanent Mission in London was established in 1987 to represent Liberia’s technical outreach to the International Maritime Organization in London, while concurrently projecting and sharpening its diplomatic aspirations at the international level.
He said, “in pursuit of these integrated objectives, the Mission ensures Liberia’s active participation in all IMO deliberations. The Mission represents Liberia also at meetings of other maritime-related organizations. As the world’s second largest Shipping Registry which comprises slightly over 4,400 oceangoing vessels with 170 million GRT (gross registered tons), the Liberian Registry represents 12% of the world’s oceangoing shipping fleet. Correspondingly, Liberia is the second highest contributor to IMO’s annual operational Budget.
Amb. Browne noted that given the level of compelling mandate entrusted to him, “I can guarantee with high assurances that my performance and delivery will be deeply rooted in loyalty and commitment, competence and dedication.
These infinite attributes are commensurate with those qualities and values required to strengthen, promote and sustain Liberia’s pride and interests within the international maritime arena! In these contexts, and based on prevailing realities, it is important that Liberia continue to be represented on IMO’s Executive Council biennially.

Accordingly, as Permanent Representative, I shall apply my best endeavors to mobilize and secure support at all levels, pursuant to these expectations. The cornerstone of my success will be based on the specialized support and advice of members of my Mission Team” Amb. Browne asserted.
Moses Owen Browne, Jr., a graduate Cum Laude in Diplomacy and International Relations from the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs feels he is more than ready for the task ahead. He thinks a high level international politics and low level representation for the past two years can be blamed for the country’s loss.
“We lost our seat at the Council on Category C just by a vote. Other countries like Nigeria also lost (Nigeria has lost 3-4 elections). But this has given us broader understanding of how national and international politics play major role with these international organizations. There were 24 Countries vying for 20 slots at Category C level and you can imagine” explained Browne.
He said they worked very hard for Liberia’s reelection bid, but sadly it didn’t happen. He mentioned that the Liberia Maritime Authority Commissioner, Dr. James F. Kollie setup a “Reelection Committee” comprising a Team of Dedicated folks and they worked very hard. Countries that historically supported Liberia’s bids over the years didn’t express any commitment this time around.

Liberia Still Maintains A Strong Presence at the IMO
Though the country’s absence from the council proves hard to swallow, it has seemingly not a significant impact on its strong presence at the IMO. And Amb. Browne was quick to point out “It is important to note that IMO functions through committees – various technical committees and Liberia chairs 3 major committees – Maritime Safety Committee, Marine Environment Committee, and the Technical Cooperation Committee.
The Liberia Maritime Program remains strong, he stressed “under the leadership of Dr. James F. Kollie as Commissioner and CEO, there have been new plans and strategies developed to better the sector and even reexamined the role of the Permanent Representative”.
A country with 4,400 ocean-going ships registered under its flag, fleets accounting for 12% of the global fleet (all ships on the ocean globally) and the 2nd highest pay master to IMO’s operational budget with gross registered tonnage of 170 million, harnessing the sector’s potentials and improving its contributions to the nation’s economy cannot be overemphasized.

To Do List at the IMO
Once the hiccup at the Supreme Court is over which has prohibited his taking over at the IMO as Liberia’s Representative two years since his appointment, Moses is expected to roll up his sleeves and hit the ground running coordinating, promoting, and articulating Liberia’s Maritime Policies and positions at IMO and in other fora as designated from time to time.
He named as part of his plans to lobby to ensure that the sector develops Schedule of Vessel arrivals to ensure that this occurs at controlled Intervals to be tagged ‘Homecoming Festival’. “When those vessels come to Liberia regularly, it has the ability to impact positively our Tourism sector and create sustainable jobs for Liberians” he said.
He would propose also a Liberian Maritime Shipping Week which should bring together major players in the Liberian shipping industry, including key legislators and policymakers and ship-owners at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to promote and strengthen relationships and partnerships.
Liberia, he said needs legal Reform of Regulatory Framework including Creation of Special Maritime Bank, Mobilizing International Resources, Fishery, Tourism, Value-add & Sports, Marine Transportation, and Marine Services & Consultancy.

“We will develop and unveil a 20 year Maritime Sector Master Plan for Liberia with keen focus on organic development of the sector. Commence preparation for International Road Shows of this Master Plan”.
Adequate attention needs to be given the Maritime Sector because this is the shortest route to rapidly impact the Liberian economy, create Jobs and grow the revenue of the Government, he said. “Beyond Oxygen and an energetic population of people, he stressed “water is the next most available God-given resource in Liberia. Furthermore, Liberia already has a strong target audience in the owners of the over 4400 Vessel registered under its Flag”.
“All it has to do now is constructively engage this audience towards enlisting them as partners in progress to the benefit of all. Liberia has a glass that is already half-filled not an empty one. Therefore, government need not look elsewhere. Instead it should seek ways of exploiting strategic advantage for the benefit of the people. Governance is about bringing good to majority of the people and the maritime sector offers a good platform for that”, he said.