DHAKA: Bangladesh candidate Captain Moin Uddin Ahmed was elected as the next Director General of the International Mobile Satellite Organisation (IMSO) at a contested election held during the 23rd session of the IMSO Assembly in London on Thursday.
Captain Moin Uddin Ahmed led by considerable margin in all four rounds of election against candidates from France, Germany, Italy and Romania.
In the last round he defeated the Romanian candidate by 49-37 votes, says a press releases issued by External Publicity Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to IMSO rules of procedure, the election had to go in four rounds with the lowest recipient of votes being eliminated for the following round.
This is the sixth international election that Bangladesh has contested and won on the trot in last six months.
The other elections were Chair of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, President, Inter-Parliamentary Union, Member, UN Human Rights Council, Member, International Telecommunication Union Council and Member of UN Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
These consecutive election victories at the UN and other inter-governmental organisations bear testimony to the successful pro-peace and pro-development foreign policy pursued by the incumbent government, the release added.
It also signifies the recognition of Bangladesh’s pro-active diplomatic engagement in the international arena.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan MP, who attended the IMSO Assembly in London, addressed a press briefing at Bangladesh High Commission following the elections.
He said that the victory was yet another manifestation of the confidence of the international community reposed in the present Government led by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He said that IMSO was an important organisation to partner with for the realisation of Digital Bangladesh and elevating the country to the middle income group by 2021.
He thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bangladesh Missions abroad for an effective campaign which led to a victory over formidable opponents.
This is the first time in the 35 year history of IMSO, a candidate from a developing country was elected to the position of Director General.
In his reaction to the press, Captain Moin Ahmed recalled with gratitude the support provided to him by the Government, particularly the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He pledged that as Director General of IMSO he would strengthen the technical assistance programme for marine safety and security from which Bangladesh will also benefit.
Captain Ahmed joined Bangladesh Navy in 1976. He also served as Executive Director (Technical) of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation. He joined on lien from the Ministry of Shipping to IMO in 2004 and currently serving as Senior Technical Officer of Maritime Safety Division.
IMSO is an inter-governmental organisation with 99 Member States whose primary purpose is the oversight of certain public satellite safety and security communication services provided by mobile satellite communication systems.
The organisation came into effect in 1979 as Inmarsat and was renamed as IMSO following adoption of IMSO Convention and Operating Agreement in 1998.
BDST: 1003 HRS, NOV 28, 2014
