Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) pushes for more investments in the country’s blue economy.
By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, Liberia; August 6, 2025 – Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has vowed to harness and attract additional investment for employment in the country’s blue economy.
Ambassador Robert Wilmot Kpadeh, posted in London, England, disclosed in a live talk show on Monday, August 4, 2025, that Liberia is preparing to host the 8th Association of Maritime Administration Summit, which seeks to bring together over 40 African countries in Monrovia.
According to him, they are making efforts to make adequate use of Liberia’s blue economy because Liberia is a coastal country with about 40% of its resources found in water.
Mr. Kpadeh revealed that Liberia is working to transition from being just a vessel registry to focusing on how the country can mobilize investment in the sector, by owning vessels, strengthening human capacity development, and providing more investments to the sector.
He further indicated that they are contemplating creating a small watercraft, hospitality industry with transport and crude vessel connecting coastal counties because these are places that can create jobs and employment, which brings about adequate utilization of Liberia’s blue economy.
“Let me say this; September this year, Liberia has the honor to host the 8th Association of Maritime Administration Summit of the International Maritime Organization, which is very important. This comprises over 40 African countries. We will be hosting over forty African countries in Monrovia, and many other international organizations and partners will join. From September 30 to October 4, 2025. The summit primarily focuses on investment in the Maritime sector of Africa. How we can work together, harness our water resources and mobilize finance to benefit our people”, he added.
Providing an update on Liberia’s relevance and respectability on the IMO Council, Kpadeh said Liberia chairs the MEPC of the IMO, and is the highest dues payer in the IMO, paying over US$700 million, equivalent to over five million pounds.
According to him, the IMO leadership is pleased with the work that the Liberian representative and delegation are doing.
Commenting on his numerous engagements with fellow IMO members, he stated that those diplomatic engagements with organizations and individuals are intended to attract cooperation and partnership on environmental issues, blue economy, and GHD whenever Liberia has a position.
Furthermore, Mr. Kpadeh disclosed that the conversations are also for resource mobilization because the more ships that are registered, the more money Liberia generates.
“We at the Maritime have launched five-to-six-year programs to see how we can begin to build and expand our blue economy. Liberia is blessed with water resources, and so, how can we harness our water resources and convert them into economic blessings for our people? To do that, we need investment. So, when you see me having conversations in Maritime diplomacy, it is to build partnership cooperation with countries to look for support and propose a strong position”, he explained.
According to him, there are lot of countries that have expressed interest and willingness to invest in Liberia’s blue economy.
“People from the Middle East, Asia, Europe, America, and Africa are coming to us. I was recently in the EU and had a big red-carpet welcome. Because people see Liberia as a responsible nation. We are finding the courage to condemn the condemnable and paying our due. Liberia is the largest registry now in the World because we are registering big vessels; therefore, we pay the highest dues. We are not registering dark flat vessels. Liberia is a first-list Maritime country”, Kpadeh noted. Editing by Jonathan Browne
