Daily News Analysis » India’s Re-election to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council

India’s Re-election to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council

International Maritime Organisation

  • 1948: The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that focuses on regulating shipping and preventing marine pollution from ships.
  • Membership: The organization includes 175 Member States and three Associate Members, with headquarters in London, UK. India has been a member since 1959.
  • Key Roles: 
    • The IMO is responsible for creating a fair, universally adopted, and implemented regulatory framework for the shipping industry. 
    • It addresses legal matters, liability, compensation, and the facilitation of international maritime traffic.

Structure and Functioning of IMO

  • Governing Bodies: The IMO is governed by an assembly of members meeting biennially and a council of 40 members elected for two years.
  • Assembly Role: The Assembly is the highest governing body of the IMO.
  • Council Responsibilities: The Council, as the executive organ, supervises the organization’s work, focusing on maritime safety and pollution prevention.

Why in News:

  • India has been re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2024–25.