Australia has retained its seat on the governing body of the international organisation charged with lifting safety standards in the shipping industry and protecting the world’s oceans from marine pollution.
Meeting in London this week for their biennium Assembly, the 169 member states of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) have elected the Council that will lead the organisation for the next two years.
I am pleased that Australia secured enough support to retain a seat on the Council.
Australia is one of few countries to have served for over 40 years on the Council since the inception of the IMO in 1959, in recognition of the leadership our country has provided within our region.
I take this opportunity to commend Australia’s maritime agencies and its industry for their willingness and cooperative approach to meeting Australia’s international obligations.
On behalf of Australia, I also congratulate China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand on their re-election to the Council and acknowledge the important benefits their continued membership brings to the South East Asia region.
The IMO is a United Nations agency. Between sessions of the Assembly the Council performs all the functions of the Assembly, except making recommendations to governments on maritime safety and pollution prevention.
More information about the composition of the new IMO Council is available at: www.imo.org.au.