The Cook Islands Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Captain Ian Finley, has been honored with the esteemed International Maritime Award, this award recognizes the Cook Islands significant contributions to international maritime security and environmental stewardship. Captain Finley has served the Cook Islands people since 2006.
Presented annually to individuals or organisations that have made a significant contribution to the work and objectives of the IMO, the award recognises excellence in maritime safety, security, and environmental protection, encouraging continuous improvement and innovation in the maritime sector.
This is the very first time the award has been awarded to a Pacific Islands nation, or a Small Islands Developing State.
"Special moments like these remind us to reflect on the contributions of those who’ve come before us, which should serve as inspiration for those of us still in service for the work that remains to be done in the IMO space," said the Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Ms. Tepaeru Herrmann who expressed congratulations to our representative upon receiving the positive news.
The International Maritime Award highlights the Cook Islands' proactive stance in addressing key maritime challenges and its collaborative efforts with international partners to foster a safer and cleaner marine environment.
The Government of the Cook Islands extends its heartfelt appreciation to the IMO for this recognition and to all partners and stakeholders who have supported our national nomination. As we celebrate this honor, we reaffirm our commitment to upholding the highest standards in maritime safety, security, and environmental protection for the benefit of current and future generations.
Since the announcement, several IMO member states have shared their warm congratulations to Captain Ian Finley across various social media pages, highlighting once again the strong impact and partnerships of Cook Islands representation at the IMO.
For further details on this Award and our national representative, please visit the IMO Official Press Release.