Cook Islands permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Captain Ian Finley, has been honoured with the esteemed International Maritime Award.

Presented annually to individuals or organisations that have made a significant contribution to the work and objectives of the IMO, the award recognises excellence in maritime safety, security and environmental protection, encouraging continuous improvement and innovation in the maritime sector.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI), this is the very first time the award has been presented to a Pacific Islands nation, or a Small Islands Developing State (SIDS).

Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Immigration Tepaeru Herrmann congratulated Captain Finley, who has served the Cook Islands people since 2006.

“Special moments like these remind us to reflect on the contributions of those who’ve come before us, which should serve as inspiration for those of us still in service for the work that remains to be done in the IMO space,” Herrmann said.

MFAI said the International Maritime Award highlights the Cook Islands’ proactive stance in addressing key maritime challenges and its collaborative efforts with international partners to foster a safer and cleaner marine environment.

“The Government of the Cook Islands extends its heartfelt appreciation to the IMO for this recognition and to all partners and stakeholders who have supported our national nomination.

“As we celebrate this honour, we reaffirm our commitment to upholding the highest standards in maritime safety, security, and environmental protection for the benefit of current and future generations.”

Since the announcement, several IMO member states have shared their warm congratulations to Captain Finley across various social media pages, “highlighting once again the strong impact and partnerships of Cook Islands representation at the IMO”.

The decision to present the award to the Cook Islands representative was made by the IMO Council at its 132^nd session held from July 8 to 12.

Captain Finley was nominated for the award by the Government of the Cook Islands.

As a delegate to IMO, representing Panama and latterly the Cook Islands, he has been an active participant in the development of virtually all safety, environmental and legal legislation adopted by the IMO since 1995.

In its statement supporting his nomination for the prize, the Government of the Cook Islands cited Captain Finley’s longstanding work as a delegate to IMO for more than three decades.

He is “a stalwart of Diplomatic Conferences, always striving for consensus and, when necessary, helping to facilitate the compromises required” and an ex-mariner with “an understanding of and empathy for the challenges that continue to be faced by seafarers and the obligations of all to ensure their training, safety and wellbeing”.

He has “championed the cause of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), promoting enhanced technical cooperation and capacity building”.

Captain Finley, a Master Mariner, first sailed from the Port of Liverpool, United Kingdom in 1961 as a Midshipman with Alfred Holts, the Blue Funnel Line. In 1966, he transferred to the Athel Line and the fledgling Chemical/Parcel tanker industry rising to the rank of Captain. He came ashore in 1982, to work in ship operations, moving into chartering and thence Senior Management. In 1987, he was a founder member of the International Parcel Tankers Association.

Captain Finley was advisor to the delegation of Panama since the early 1990s and was later appointed Head of Delegation for Panama, stepping down in 2006. He was then engaged to navigate the Cook Islands to membership of IMO (it became a Member State in 2008). He was subsequently appointed as the Cook Islands Ambassador and Permanent Representative to IMO, a role he has held with distinction and through which he has championed the cause of the SIDS, promoting enhanced technical cooperation and capacity building and encouraging their engagement in the Organization’s safety and environmental technical committees.  

The International Maritime Prize will be presented to Captain Finley at an awards ceremony to be held later in 2024.