Liberia's Permanent Mission to the International Maritime Organization

13/04/2026

Liberia's Permanent Representative and Head of Mission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Hon. Robert Wilmot Kpadeh leads deliberations this week during the IMO's Legal Committee 113th session at the IMO headquarters in London, the United Kingdom

16/02/2026

https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/tanzania-liberia-forge-maritime-alliance-to-boost-africa-s-blue-economy-5359864

The signing comes as Tanzania’s maritime sector expands. Dar es Salaam Port, which once handled 17 million tonnes annually, now processes about 31 million tonnes.

13/02/2026

Pictorial of today's landmark signing ceremony between Liberia and Tanzania in the city of Dar Es Saalam.

13/02/2026

Official Remarks By PMR Robert Wilmot Kpadeh At the Ceremony Marking the Official Signing Of Memorandum Of Understanding Between the Liberia Maritime Authority ( LIMA) and The Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on February 13, 2026.

The Director General,
Mr. Mohamad Malik Salum, Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC),

Other Distinguished officials of TASAC Here Present,

Excellencies,

Members of the Press,

Ladies and Gentlemen;

I bring you warm greetings from the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), and in particular, I would like to convey the sentiments of the Commissioner & CEO of the Liberia Maritime Authority Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr. who would have loved to be here to jointly perform this signing ceremony with you. However, due to pressing international engagements he is unable to be here and has therefore designated me to proxy on his behalf.

I am both honored and elated not only to represent Commissioner Lighe at this pivotal signing ceremony, but also because of the historic significance this MOU between our two cherished countries bears.

No doubt, the signing of this MOU today represents a historic milestone that would potentially lay down a legacy that generations of our two countries will cherish forever ...suffice to say this is not a mere signing ceremony, it is rather a heroic making of history by our two countries.

Essentially, Liberia and Tanzania are making a clear and decisive choice to deepen cooperation and strengthen the structures and systems of maritime governance, not only for the benefit of our two countries but for the advancement of the global maritime industry which accounts for 85% of global trade and commerce.

We believe, that together, we are sending a resounding and inspiring message across the broader African Continent that Africa can rise to greater heights if nations of Africa unite, pull their resources together, and forge common fronts for shared prosperity.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this MoU on which we are about to affix our signatures does something consequential that Africa needs now more than ever, that is the forging of solid and intentional partnerships; smartly leveraging our collective resources for the socioeconomic transformation of our dear continent and beloved people.

The spirit and intent of this MoU is to set into motion a framework that significantly enables our two countries to collaborate on various programs, strategies, research, and innovation to enhance maritime infrastructural developments, safety standards, and marine environmental sustainability. In effect, this MOU seeks to promote professional exchange between the two countries through seminars, training programs, information exchanges, joint research, as well as implementing cadetship.

This MoU comes on the heels of a heightened global call to fill the projected 90,000 officer shortage in the maritime industry by 2026.

To date, global maritime statistics show that Africa supplies only 4% of the global 1.9 million seafarers despite its endowment of a vast and burgeoning coastline. Such statistics raise more questions than answers, but also echo a call to action by the African continent. WE MUST CHANGE THIS NARRATIVE! In order to change this narrative, we must work hard to mitigate this gap, and this is only possible by working together as African member states to scale up maritime education, improve training, and overcome recruitment barriers for our young and growing population.

With this MoU, Liberia and Tanzania are profoundly demonstrating to the rest of Africa that working together is the surest way forward for the continent, and doing so ultimately lays the pathway for shared prosperity. We are very optimistic that the maritime industries of our two countries will grow stronger and flourish brighter with this MoU courageously leading the way. Liberia, as a global maritime leader is ready and willing to work with all African member states to foster the growth and development of Africa's Blue Economy.

In ending, may I say it gives us immense joy and assurance to see a room full of key national stakeholders including policy makers, private interests, and marine experts. In the spirit of collaboration, cooperation, and coordination guarded by the 'One Africa Solidarity' envisioned and pioneered by our forefathers, I wish our two countries full steam ahead in our pursuit of sustainable maritime governance and result-based capacity building initiatives.

May God bless Liberia and Tanzania!

Asante (Thank you!)

10/02/2026

Permanent Representative Robert Wilmot Kpadeh Addresses Member States of African Association of Maritime Administration (AAMA) in Mombasa, Kenya, Calls for Empowerment and Continuous Cooperation

February 10, 2026

Signaling a departure from unilateral initiatives, on a busy day in the logistics hub and one of Africa’s premiere port city Mombasa, Kenya, Honorable Robert Wilmot Kpadeh, Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) delivered a high-stake address to member states currently attending a three-day consultative summit organized by the Kenya Maritime Authority unveiling a visionary blueprint for empowerment, cooperation and resource sharing.

Speaking when he addressed the continental body, Hon. Kpadeh challenged African governments to empower AMAA to serve as the coordinator in ensuring that the African Continent speaks with one consolidated voice on global maritime issues during international engagements. According to Honorable Kpadeh, "A United Africa on Global Maritime Issue is essential, and the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) must lead the coordination effort of African Maritime States".

Permanent Representative Kpadeh, in his remarks, stated that it is potentially dangerous and disadvantageous for Africa to stand fragmented on global maritime issues, adding that it engenders weakness and low influence at multilateral fronts.

The Liberian Maritime diplomat stated that Africa is much stronger and vibrant when it engages the rest of the world with a unified voice rather than the current fragmentation that impedes the continent’s progress when it comes to multilateral deliberations. He lamented that Africa problems are common and our economies are enduring the same shocks. Furthermore, our infrastructural challenges are similar, our people are enduring the same devastating economic woes, and our continent collectively suffers the same unjust effect of climate change despite Africa’s minimal historical emissions. “With these common problems, I see no reason why we cannot unite and forge a common position as one people”, Ambassador Kpadeh intimated.

He mentioned further that "Africa’s influence at the IMO potentially relies on our ability to speak collectively. Fragmentation weakens us; unity strengthens our negotiating power, "Liberia's Chief Maritime Diplomat emphasized.

Hon. Kpadeh emphasized the need to forge a common position on the IMO Net Zero Framework which aims to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) by 2030 and get GHG emission to net zero by 2050. Ambassador Kpadeh stressed the need for the African continent to firstly conduct a thorough impact assessment on how the Net Zero framework in its current design and context will affect African states if it is adopted and entered into force. With factual and credible data on the economic impact of the net zero framework, we can forge a common position on the framework on the basis of authentic facts.

During his stay in Mombasa, Hon. Kpadeh along with other delegates will hold several sideline meetings and tour Kenya’s key maritime infrastructures. Maritime leaders from over 30 African nations are meeting in Mombasa for an AAMA technical workshop, hosted by the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) at Serova Whitesands on the theme “Aligning Africa's Maritime Transition with Green Industrialization Opportunities". The workshop aims to develop a common African position on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Net Zero Framework, specifically addressing decarbonization, port safety, and security.

09/02/2026

Liberia Permanent Mission to IMO
London, United Kingdom

Represented in Mombasa, Kenya
February 9, 2026

Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Ambassador Robert Wilmot Kpadeh is in the port city of Mombasa, Kenya where he heads a delegation attending a 3 Day Consultative Summit of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA).

Permanent Representative Kpadeh is expected to address the Conference tomorrow on a wide range of global maritime issues to include Maritime Security, Maritime Safety, Maritime governance on the African continent, and the continuous efforts of the existing united African block being championed at the headquarters of the IMO in London, the United Kingdom. In addition, other pertinent, critical and compelling global maritime issues will be highlighted during the round table discussions, especially centered around the advancement of Africa's Blue Economy potentials and strategies for investment.

Amb. Kpadeh is accompanied by the Technical Officer of the Liberia Permanent Mission in London and focal person to AAMA's Working and Drafting Groups respectively, Mrs. Grace Vaye Nuhn.
AAMA which is the acronym for the Association of African Maritime
Administrations is a composite of 44 African Members States with huge maritime interests, and which constitute the largest voting bloc in the IMO.

More details coming up.

20/12/2025

The staff of Liberia's Permanent Mission to the International Maritime Organization based in London, the United Kingdom heartily extend to the Honorable Robert Wilmont Kpadeh, Liberia's Permanent Representative to the IMO and Head of Mission warmest felicitations and best wishes on the joyous occasion of his Birthday Anniversary, today December 20, 2025.

As Honorable Kpadeh celebrates yet another milestone it is our passionate prayers that God Almighty will continue to endow him with bountiful wisdom and blessings, especially as he steers the affairs of the Permanent Mission in London to a nobler destiny. May the Good Lord continue to guide, bless and sustain the works of his hands in service to country.

Honorable PMR, we share our profound love with you on this special day and wish you fair winds and following seas!