India re-elected to International Maritime Organisation Council
- India has been re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2022-23 biennium following elections held at the IMO Assembly in London.
- India’s election falls under the Category of 10 states with “the largest interest in international seaborne trade”, alongside Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- The newly elected council will meet formally at the conclusion of the 32nd Assembly for the IMO’s 126th session on 15 december.
The IMO is a specialized agency of the UN that engages in shipping safety and security all over the world.
- The United Nations established IMO after an agreement during the Geneva Conference of 1948.
- Ten years later, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) had its first meeting in 1959.
- With its headquarters in London, United Kingdom, the IMO is responsible for the safety and security of shipping.
- IMO also looks after the prevention of marine pollution by ships.
- The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is administered by an assembly of members.
- A separate council of members elected from the assembly looks after the funds and other financial matters.
- Currently, IMO comprises 174 member states and three associate members.
The objectives and functions of the IMO can be listed as follows:
- Develop and maintain a thorough regulatory framework for shipping.
- Looking after the safety and security of ships.
- Administering environmental concerns related to shipping.
- Handling legal matters for maritime cases.
- Provision of technical cooperation
- To improve the overall efficiency of shipping.
India and IMO
- India has been a member of the IMO since 1959.
- India has had the privilege of being elected to and serving the Council of the IMO, ever since it started functioning till date, except for two years for the period 1983-1984.
- India is a party to 34 IMO Conventions and protocols and is currently in the advanced stage of ratifying the Ballast Water Convention and Bunker Convention.
- India ratified the Hong Kong Convention in 2019.
- India continues to provide services of its expert manpower to the IMO, as and when required. The IMO’s panel of auditors for the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme (VIMSAS) and Goal-Based Standards (GBS) has a number of auditors from India.
- With re-election in IMO, India will continue to engage with the international maritime community to further her maritime interests and promote the welfare of her citizens."