Futaisi highlights Sultanate’s seafaring history at first World Congress on Maritime Heritage
SINGAPORE: Delegated by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications is leading the Sultanate’s delegation to the 1st World Congress on Maritime Heritage (WCMH) which started yesterday and continues until March 15.
The Sultanate, represented by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, is the main sponsor of the congress.
The event was opened with a welcome opening remark by Koji Sekimizu, former Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and an opening statement by Dr. Janil Buthuchery,
Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Communications and Information of Singapore.
Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, stressed the depth of the ancient maritime relations linking the Sultanate with Singapore.
He then made a presentation on the history of Oman through the ages. He referred to the Sultanate’s various relations with the countries of the region and the countries of the world, in addition to the economic and commercial trade of the Sultanate throughout history and its contributions to cultural communication, as well as the transfer of values, ethics and cultures among nations, which gained it a special position among civilisations.
He affirmed the attention accorded by the Sultanate’s government to various fields of maritime activity and the blue economy under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, to preserve the Sultanate’s historic position in the field of maritime activity.
The Minister of Transport and Communications pointed out that the conference comes to communicate globally and highlight the importance of history and maritime heritage in the growth of the maritime sector and its future development. He added that history holds many things through which to foresee the future.
He pointed out that the conference highlights the Sultanate’s historic role as a great maritime nation with deep history of trade and civilised communication among nations.
The 1st World Congress on Maritime Heritage is organised in cooperation with the International Congress of Maritime Museums (ICMM), the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), IMO and the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA).
The conference is attended by more than 300 participants representing governments, international and regional organisations and international companies and institutions specialised in maritime affairs, such as shipping and insurance companies, representatives of seaports, maritime education centres, museums and experts in maritime affairs.
On the sidelines of the conference, several meetings and discussions will be held aiming at enhancing cooperation and acquaintance among participants and persons interested in the maritime affairs sector.
The World Congress on Maritime Heritage is set to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the founding the modern Singaporean state, a major global hub for shipping, finance and trade.