Mr. President, Secretary-General, Your Excellencies, distinguished delegates,
It is a great honour to speak here on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As one of the founding Members of the IMO, the Kingdom feels deeply connected to the IMO, its Members and the maritime community.
My country is truly a maritime nation. With 1,200 vessels sailing under the Dutch flag, located along one of the busiest shipping routes in the world, with a strong manufacturing industry, and with major ports such as Rotterdam and Amsterdam serving as important gateways to Europe.
Saltwater runs through our veins. And as a former navy-man, that is certainly true for me personally as well.
My country regards the IMO as the place to make global shipping safer, more efficient, and more sustainable. We are fully committed to continue contributing to the mission of IMO.
Shipping faces major challenges - challenges that can only be addressed at the global level.
This is certainly true for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Reaching agreement on the Net-Zero Framework remains one of our key priorities.
The Netherlands stands for a just and equitable transition which leaves no one behind. We believe it is essential that all countries can participate, especially the Small Island Developing States.
The Netherlands feels a strong connection with these states, with islands in the Caribbean part of our Kingdom —including Aruba, Curaçao, and St Maarten.
Maritime safety remains our priority.
That is why we strongly support firm action against substandard ships and fraudulent certificates.
These ships do not comply with our conventions and pose a major threat to safety and the environment. Let us stay firmly on top of this!
Preventing accidents must always come first. But when accidents do occur, there must be a proper mechanism for handling claims.
The HNS Convention provides for compensation in the event of incidents involving ships carrying hazardous and noxious substances.
I am pleased to announce that together with Belgium, Germany and Sweden, we intend to ratify the HNS Convention in the first half of 2026. This will enable the Convention to enter into force. A major step forward for all of us!
Shipping is not only about technology, rules and procedures.
Above all, it is about people.
Eighty percent of world trade depends on the professionalism of seafarers. Their needs and well-being deserve our attention.
This includes fair treatment, also following incidents.
It also includes ensuring a good work-life balance, to keep the sector attractive for young people. We desperately need them, given the significant demand for skilled personnel.
The maritime profession is a wonderful profession.
But it is still, above all, a male-dominated one.
Fortunately, this is beginning to change.
In the Netherlands, one in five maritime professionals is now a woman.
One champion of this progress is Karin Orsel. We are proud that she has received the IMO Gender Equality Award 2025 for her significant contribution to the empowerment of women in the maritime sector.
Finally,
The Kingdom of the Netherlands has been an almost continuous member of the IMO Council since 1959. We feel a strong responsibility for safe and sustainable shipping. We contribute actively to the work of the IMO - in committees and working groups, as chair, coordinator, or constructive participant.
Our hearts beat faster when it comes to global shipping. That is why we are pleased to once again stand as a candidate for the IMO Council, Category B. We count on your support!
Thank you very much.