TEHRAN, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- The leader of the U.N. maritime agency praised Iran for its contributions in combating piracy off the Somali coast, while urging other nations to fulfill their obligations.
International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos concluded a four-day trip to Iran and Syria Thursday, meeting with ministers to discuss piracy-related challenges, shortages in the number of seafarers and climate change, the United Nations said in a release.
While in Iran, Mitropoulos applauded the government for sending naval vessels to the Gulf of Aden to prevent and suppress piracy in the region.
He also sought Iran's support at the U.N. Climate Change Conference this December in Copenhagen to entrust the IMO with oversight for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from shipping operations.
