The Extraordinary 24th meeting of the Executive Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) -- an affiliate of the United Nations, began here last night its two-day deliberations with the participation of the high-level diplomatic delegations and representatives of 40 countries. The delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the meeting is led by Transport Ministry Under Secretary Dr. Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Ohali. A number of issues including the protection of shipping routes in the sea and enhancing safety of marine systems as stipulated by the Law of the Sea endorsed by the United Nations and extending support to training programs in that area came up for discussion at the meeting. Other topics included the organization's funding budget Program for the year 2008 and the activities that fall within the program's framework. Meanwhile Dr.Al-Ohali met with IMO's Secretary-General Effthimios E. Mitropoulos and discussed with him means of strengthening international cooperation in order to support the activities of the organization as well as the role of Saudi Arabia in this context for achieving security and safety of the world's oceans. --MORE
