Jamaica re-elected to the IMO Council

Jamaica succeeded in securing a seat in the most sough-after Category 'C' of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The seat was fiercely contested during elections at the 28th IMO assembly held at the IMO's headquarters in London last December.

The council is the highest decision-making body of this United Nations specialised agency with responsibility for maritime safety, security, and protection of the marine environment. It comprises 170 member states and three associate members.

The Jamaican delegation was led by Dr Morais Guy, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, and included Rear Admiral Peter Brady, director general of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), and senior officers of the ministry and the MAJ.

Guy said that Jamaica was committed to the work of the IMO and has a well-established legal and administrative framework through which the country carries out its obligations as a port, flag, and coastal state. "Re-election to the IMO Council Category 'C' comes at a crucial time in Jamaica's maritime development as the country positions itself as a global trans-shipment zone," the minister said.

Jamaica's membership in Category 'C' enhances its capacity and that of the region to contribute to major policy decisions, rule-making, and the development of standards, including representing the maritime interests of Least Developed Countries in order to implement port, coastal, and flag state obligations.

Category 'C' embodies 20 states not elected under Categories 'A' or 'B', that have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.

Categories 'A' and 'B' comprise 10 states, each with the largest interest in providing international shipping services and the largest interest in international seaborne trade, respectively.

Jamaica's successful bid was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, including the High Commission in London, the Ministry of Transport Works and Housing, and the Maritime Authority of Jamaica.

Jamaica has had the honour of serving on the council of the IMO since 2007 when it was first elected to Category 'C' of the governing body.