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The Philippines has been reelected to the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) under Category C for 2022 to 2023
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The Maritime Industry Authority said the country’s reelection provides continued opportunity to contribute to policy formulation and decision-making processes of the IMO
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It is also a venue to promote Filipino seafarers, Philippine ship registry, shipbuilding, and other maritime industries
The Philippines has been reelected to the council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) under Category C for 2022 to 2023.
The Council is the executive organ of the IMO responsible for supervising the work of the organization. The Philippines since 1997 has been an active council member under Category C, members of which are states with special interest in maritime transport or navigation, and whose election to the council will ensure that major geographic areas of the world are all represented.
The members of the IMO Council were elected on December 10 during the 32nd Session of the IMO Assembly at the IMO headquarters in London.
In a statement, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said the country’s reelection to the Council provides continued opportunity to contribute to policy formulation and decision-making processes of the IMO; voting rights to the IMO Council; and a venue to promote Filipino seafarers, Philippine ship registry, shipbuilding, and other maritime industries in the global maritime world.
This, it added, will pave the way “to more opportunities for Filipinos and the industry and participation in the advancement of safer ships, welfare of the seafarers and protection of the marine environment.”
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said: “This privilege could be attributed to the recognition extended to our role as a seafaring country. We have proven, time and again, that the Filipinos are the ‘Preferred Seafarers of Choice’ as we represent the largest nationality of the maritime crew in the international maritime fleet. But more than our identity of being a major provider of competent seafarers, the Philippines also stands proud as a maritime powerhouse that fosters a holistic maritime strategy, given its archipelagic nature.”
Other member states elected under Category C for the next two years were Singapore, Egypt, Cyprus, Malta, Bahamas, Malaysia, Indonesia, Chile, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Jamaica, Belgium, Morocco, Turkey, Mexico, Vanuatu, Qatar, Denmark, and Thailand.
Elected under Category A, or states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services, were China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway, Panama, South Korea, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Member states elected under Category B, which are states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade, were Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.
The newly elected Council will meet, following the conclusion of the 32nd Assembly, for its 126th session on December 15 and will elect its chair and vice-chair for the next biennium.
