Kitack Lim

Emeritus Secretary General, International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Kitack Lim served as the 9th Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) from 2016 to 2023, becoming the first Korean to hold the position.

A native of Busan, he studied navigation at Korea Maritime University and later earned advanced degrees in public administration, maritime affairs, and international law. His career included key roles in the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korean Embassy in the UK, and as President of Busan Port Authority.

As IMO Secretary-General, Lim led major initiatives on maritime safety, environmental regulation, GHG reduction, digital navigation, and seafarer rights. He played a pivotal role in advancing sustainable shipping and aligning IMO with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.