Addressing the Colombian MLA – International Maritime Law Seminar

Ann Fenech, in her capacity as President of the CMI, gave the Introductory Speech virtually at the International Maritime Law seminar organised by the Colombian Maritime Law Association (ACOLDEMAR COLOMBIA) in Cartagena between the 1st and 2nd August 2024. This was done at the invitation of the MLA’s President.

She congratulated Elizabeth Salas Jimenez on her appointment as President of the Colombian MLA and expressed confidence that she will take the association from strength to strength, building on the excellent work of the previous President, Javier Franco.

Ann Fenech expressed how the Colombian MLA is an important association to the CMI, as are all the South American MLAs, as they play a vital role in the unification of international maritime law.

CMI’s President provided an update on the latest developments regarding the Convention on the International Effects of Judicial Sales of Ships, particularly focusing on the recent Second Signing Ceremony that took place in June at the Verdala Castle in Malta. It was explained how during the ceremony, the UN Treaty Section agreed to fly the Treaty book to Malta, a departure from the usual practice of sending it only to the first country designated for signing, which in this case was Beijing. Throughout the ceremony, EU Member States were given the opportunity to sign the Convention following the EU’s signing of the Convention on March 14th.

She emphasised the significant impact that collaboration between political, governmental, international, and legislative organisations such as the IMO, UNCITRAL, and the EU together with the private sector, represented by the CMI, can have and how much good can be done for the international community.

She concluded her message by encouraging the Colombian MLA to persuade their government to sign and ratify the Judicial Sales Convention.

Access the following link to view the conference programme: Conference Programme