Cyprus, being a keen supporter of IMO, attaches high importance to its special and central role in facilitating international cooperation, a necessary prerequisite for developing, maintaining and consolidating a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping.

Cyprus strongly believes that the person elected to the post of the IMO Secretary General should possess the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity and on these grounds it has taken the decision to propose Mr. Andreas I. Chrysostomou for this esteemed post.

Mr. Andreas I. Chrysostomou is a renowned shipping personality, who enjoys international recognition through his successful career in shipping.  He has been involved with the IMO since 1994 and has contributed to the work of the Organization through different positions, beyond that of the national representative of Cyprus. Throughout the years he has been actively involved and has constructively contributed in allspheres and levels of the Organization’s work, ranging from safety and security, protection of the marine environment, legal and administrative issues. He has served as Chairman of the Design and Equipment Subcommittee of the IMO and for the decade 2003-2013 has served as Chairman of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), one of the main Committees of IMO.

Mr. Chrysostomou has been serving the Civil Service of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus since 1993 and he is currently the Acting Director of the Department of Merchant Shipping (the Maritime Administration of Cyprus). Furthermore, he is currently the Immediate Past President of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMAREST).

As a result of Mr. Chrysostomou’s skills and integrity, he has been acknowledged by peers and has been manifested by awarding him the 2011 Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Shipping. In November 2011 he has also been presented with the Distinguished Public Service Award by the United States Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard, for his invaluable service to International Shipping and in 2013 the GST Award – Leading Shipping Personality of the Decade 2003-2013.

The Government of Cyprus believes that his excellent professional credentials and his inter-personal skills could be a catalyst, in reinforcing further the confidence of the member states in the work of the Organization, and shall also assist in rationalizing and mainstreaming the work of the IMO.