Koji Sekimizu was elected Secretary-General of IMO in 2011, assuming that role at the beginning of 2012. Having initially worked as a ship inspector at the Ministry of Transport of Japan. Mr. Sekimizu joined IMO in 1989 and has been involved in the development of many important Conventions and Codes, with responsibility for maritime safety, security, anti-piracy measures and marine environment issues. Koji Sekimizu studied naval architecture at Osaka University where he obtained a Masters in engineering.