LONDON: India has been chosen back to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Board after the election was held in the Assembly in London for two annual 2022-23.
The election of India is under the category of 10 countries with “the biggest interest in trade international seaborne”, along with Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The newly selected board will meet formally at the end of the 32nd meeting for the 126th session IMO on Wednesday, when it will choose a chair and deputy chair for the next bienium.
“India was re-elected to the International Maritime Organizational Council (IMO),” The Indian High Commission in London said in a Twitter statement after the election on Friday.
“The Indian delegation for IMO extends wholeheartedly to all member countries, hoping to work with all for achieving our shared goals,” he said.
The Board is an imo executive organ and is responsible, under the Assembly, to oversee organizational work.
Between the assembly session, the Board performs the functions of the Assembly, except for making recommendations to the government about maritime safety and prevention of pollution.
China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Britain and the US are selected to the council under the category of 10 countries with “the biggest interest in providing international shipping services”.
Meanwhile, 20 other states were not selected under two selected categories as the council to ensure representation of all the world’s main geographical regions as having “special interests in maritime transportation or navigation”.
20 countries in the list are Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and Vanuatu.
The 32nd Assembly Imo is currently meeting at the imo headquarters in London between 6 and December 15.
All 175 member countries and three Associate members have the right to attend the Assembly, which is the highest IMO government agency.
Inter-governmental organizations with cooperation agreements which have been concluded and international non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO are also invited to attend.
Assemblies usually meet every two years in the regular session.
It is responsible for approving the work program, choosing a budget and determining organizational financial settings.
It also chose the council of 40 members of the organization at these meetings for the next two years.