WMU : IMO Secretary-General Appoints H.E. Aureny Aguirre O. Sunza to WMU Board of Governors

The World Maritime University (WMU) is pleased to announce that H.E. Aureny Aguirre O. Sunza, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Mexico to the International Maritime Organization, has been appointed by the IMO Secretary-General, Mr Kitack Lim, to join the WMU Board of Governors. 

Ambassador Aguirre serves as Chargée d´Affaires of Mexico in the United Kingdom and her responsibilities include the role of Deputy Permanent Representative of Mexico to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

In addition, she serves as Deputy Permanent Representative of Mexico to the International Funds for compensation of damages due to oil pollution (FIDAC); the International Mobile Satellite Telecommunications Organization (IMSO); the International Coffee Organization (ICO), the International Sugar Organization (OIA), and the International Whaling Commission (IWC).

Her extensive diplomatic experience includes service at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as posts in Mexican Diplomatic Missions in Ottawa, Tel Aviv, Brussels and Hong Kong. 

Since 2015, Ambassador Aguirre has led the Mexican delegations attending IMO, IMSO and International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC) sessions. She has been a key contributor in the process of strengthening the Mexican Maritime Authority and in promoting the effective implementation of IMO Conventions in her country, as well as enhancing maritime cooperation with IMO member States. In addition, she is a leader and advocate for gender equality and is a founder of the IMO Gender Equality Network. 

Regarding her appointment to the WMU Board of Governors, Ambassador Aguirre said,“I am convinced that education, training and capacity building are essential to build more prosperous, resilient and sustainable societies.

The door that the WMU opens to developing countries to have access to knowledge, scholarships and technical cooperation, is key to guaranteeing the improvement of maritime safety and security, the protection of the marine environment and the efficiency of international shipping, in compliance with the goals and objectives of the IMO. Mexico is deeply aware of that and is committed to strengthen its maritime education system and work closely with the WMU”.

Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU, welcomed the appointment saying, “Ambassador Aguirre brings a wealth of experience in diplomacy and maritime knowledge to our extraordinary WMU Board of Governors. Further, her commitment and efforts to advancing gender equality are exceptional.

We warmly welcome Ambassador Aguirre to the WMU community, and note her appointment is the fifth consecutive appointment of a woman to the WMU Governing bodies, emphasizing the IMO’s and WMU’s commitment to advancing gender diversity in the maritime and ocean sectors.”

About the WMU Board of Governors‍

In accordance with the Charter, WMU’s governance structure consists of a Board of Governors (BoG) and an Executive Board (EB). The IMO Secretary-General is the WMU ex-officio Chancellor. The President directs and administers the University.

The BoG meets once a year and is responsible for exercising due governance of the University, ensuring the effectiveness and continuity of its operations, protecting the autonomous nature of the University within the framework of the IMO, and ensuring the maintenance of the highest academic and professional standards.

The BoG is composed of up to 30 members who are appointed by the IMO Secretary-General for a renewable period of three years. The BoG meets annually and is chaired by the Chancellor. The reports approved by the BoG are submitted to the IMO Council.