Among the invited guests were the permanent representatives of the member states to the IMO, diplomats and IMO staff. Poland was represented by the Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure Grzegorz Witkowski, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Piotr Wilczek, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the International Maritime Organisation Małgorzata Buszyńska, the Rector of Gdynia Maritime University prof. Adam Weintrit, Vice-Chancellor for Science at the University of Gdynia, prof. Dariusz Barbucha, Ph.D., and Vice-Chancellor for Maritime Affairs at the Maritime University of Technology in Szczecin (Politechnika Morska w Szczecinie), prof. Arkadiusz Tomczak, Ph.D., Capt.

The event, which took place on 15 May, opened with a speech by minister Grzegorz Witkowski, who officially announced Poland's candidacy for the IMO Council for 2024-2025 in category C. The Minister stressed that one of the many points that Poland can boast of is the strong position of maritime universities and excellent maritime personnel training programmes. He said that Poland treats modern maritime education and research as key factors in the sustainable development of the maritime economy.

"Well-educated seafarers mean a better understanding of modern solutions, autonomous shipping, cyber security and environmental protection" said minister Witkowski.

He added that it is the intention of the authorities of the Polish maritime universities to establish stronger cooperation with the World Maritime University in Malmö, as well as other maritime universities in the world. He assessed that both universities have excellently developed their expert activities in the development of maritime education and training programmes. On this basis, they are planning to further develop this area of activity, with a particular focus on African countries, and are adapting to market requirements and running specialised degree courses, such as the Executive Offshore Wind MBA Study at  Gdynia Maritime University, which are delivered in cooperation with international partners, providing qualified professionals for the off-shore and maritime industries.

200 participants at the meeting, representing countries from all over the world, had the opportunity to learn more about Gdynia Maritime University through promotional materials. The Rector presented the scientific and didactic potential of Maritime University of Gdynia, emphasising the contribution of our University to the development of the maritime economy in Poland.

"The University's promotion at IMO is a consequence of the implementation of assumptions for the second part of the term related to the internationalisation of the University. We have well-trained and experienced staff. We respond to the dynamically changing situation on the labour market. Our University is known and recognisable in the world, we need to take advantage of this, and by meeting with such a large group of people responsible for maritime affairs in their countries, the chance to establish new relationships increases," stressed UMG rector prof. Adam Weintrit.

"The great interest of the meeting's participants in the areas of research conducted at the Maritime University of Gdynia, expert activities, scientific and research projects carried out, as well as the offer of education, places our University well among entities with which it is worth cooperating, at the same time giving our university the opportunity to achieve many benefits in the short and long term" emphasised the Vice-Rector for Science, prof. Dariusz Barbucha, PhD,

The election of the Rector of the Maritime University of Gdynia as President of the IAMU (International Association of Maritime Universities) underlines the strong position of the Maritime University of Gdynia in the world and creates additional opportunities for cooperation. Experts from the UMG have been actively participating in the work of the IMO for years, being co-authors of conventions, codes, resolutions - key documents related to maritime safety.

The IMO is a specialised organisation of the United Nations system, dealing with maritime affairs, in particular maritime safety and the prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships. It legislates for 80% of the planet. The IMO Council is the executive body of the IMO, currently consisting of 40 members elected by the IMO Assembly for a period of two years in three categories: 10 countries with the largest share of services to international vessels, 10 countries with the largest share of international maritime trade and 20 countries not previously elected that are specialised in maritime transport and navigation, which are elected to the Council so as to ensure representation from all major regions of the world.