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India re-elected to International Maritime Organisation Council

By
AC Team 1
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On December 1, 2017, India was re-elected to Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) under category B. In Council of IMO, Category B represents developing countries and those member countries with the largest interests in international sea borne trade.

Details about India’s Re-election to IMO’s Council:

Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Y K Sinha represented India at the election which was conducted at IMO headquarters in London.

  • In the election, India secured the second-highest number of votes (144 votes) from member-countries. Germany secured highest votes (146 votes).
  • Other countries who have been elected to the council post this election are Australia (143 votes), France (140 votes), Canada (138 votes), Spain (137 votes), Brazil (131 votes), Sweden (129 votes), The Netherlands (124 votes) and the United Arab Emirates (115 votes).
  • India’s candidature for a re-election to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in Category B was put forward by Union Shipping and Road Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkariduring his visit to London last week.
  • IMO Council is the key body that decides on various important matters related to the global shipping industry. It also forms strategy and budget for the same.
  • It is to be noted that India has been one of the earliest members of the IMO. India ratified the IMO convention and joined as a member-state in the year 1959.
  • India has been elected to the Council of the IMO since inception, except for a two-year break during 1983-1984. 

About International Maritime Organisation:

International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations, entrusted with the responsibility for regulating shipping across the world.

  • It was established in Geneva, Switzerland in 1948. However, it came into force after ten years and met for the first time in 1959.
  • Until 1982, it was known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization(IMCO).
  • Headquarters of IMO is located in London, United Kingdom.
  • Kitack Lim is the current Secretary General of IMO.
  • Currently IMO has 172 member countries and three Associate Members.