IMO is the only United Nations agency based in London but the city itself is home to the headquarters and country offices of many other international organizations. Together, these form a group called the All London Based International Organizations.
Although they deal with a host of different topics, ranging from maritime safety to molecular biology, there are many issues that unite them – for example, a high proportion of overseas staff and their families, living away from their home countries. The member organizations meet annually to discuss these and other matters and this year it was the turn of IMO to host (17 October).
IMO says twenty-seven London-based organizations took part in the annual meeting, which featured as guest speaker Mr. Alistair Harrison CMG CVO, Marshal of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Corps. He raised the importance of so-called ‘multi multilateralism’, in which organizations proactively engage with each other and the local diplomatic corps.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said it was a privilege to be the only United Nations agency to have its headquarters in London and called for continued cooperation and sharing of best practises among the participants.