About a International Maritime Organisation

Context:

Recently, India has been re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council, marking its continuous service at IMO.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. International Maritime Organization (IMO)
2. India’s Engagement with IMO

International Maritime Organization (IMO):

• The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for regulating global shipping and preventing marine pollution caused by ships.
• It was established in 1948 following a UN conference in Geneva and officially came into existence in 1958.

Membership:

• The IMO has 175 Member States and three Associate Members, with its headquarters located in London, United Kingdom.
• India became a member of the IMO in 1959.

Role:

• The primary role of the IMO is to create a fair and effective regulatory framework for the global shipping industry, with the goal of universal adoption and implementation.
• It addresses legal matters related to shipping, including issues of liability and compensation, and facilitates international maritime traffic.
• The organization celebrates World Maritime Day on the last Thursday of every September to emphasize the importance of shipping and maritime activities.

Structure of IMO:

• IMO is governed by an assembly of members, which convenes every two years, and a council comprising 40 members, elected by the assembly for two-year terms.
• The Assembly serves as the highest governing body, while the IMO Council, acting as the executive organ, supervises the organization’s work, particularly in maritime safety and pollution prevention.
• IMO’s activities are carried out through five committees and several subcommittees responsible for developing and adopting international conventions, codes, resolutions, and guidelines.

India’s Engagement with IMO:

• India holds Category B status in the IMO Council, reflecting its ongoing commitment to maritime affairs.
• India’s Vision 2030 aims to bolster its representation at the IMO by appointing permanent representatives at IMO London.
• The Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 outlines goals to enhance India’s global maritime presence, including establishing a dedicated IMO cell, designating a permanent representative at IMO headquarters, and implementing the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Master Plan.

-Source: The Hindu