Context: India was re-elected to the IMO Council (International Maritime OrganisationI) with the highest votes and the council term will be for the biennium 2024-25.

India Re-elected to IMO Council

• The highest votes indicate the government’s determination to strengthen India’s varied contributions to international maritime operations. India’s re-election falls under 10 states with “the largest interest in international seaborne trade.
• The Maritime India Vision 2030 to enhance representation at IMO, India aims to appoint permanent representatives at IMO London.

Also Read: Global Maritime India Summit 2023; PM Unveil Blueprint For Maritime Blue Economy

About IMO

Genesis: The International Maritime Organisation is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and preventing marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.

History: In 1948 an international conference in Geneva adopted a convention formally establishing IMO (the original name was the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization, or IMCO, but the name was changed in 1982 to IMO).

• The  IMO Convention entered into force in 1958 and the new Organization met for the first time the following year.

Members: IMO currently has 175 Member States and three Associate Members. India has been one of the earliest members of the IMO, having ratified its Convention and joined it as a member state in 1959.

Composition:

• The Organization consists of an Assembly, a Council, five main Committees, and a number of Sub-Committees that support the work of the main technical committees.
• Assembly
• • This is the highest Governing Body of the Organization.
  • It consists of all Member States and meets once every two years in regular sessions, but may also meet in an extraordinary session if necessary.

• • The Assembly is responsible for approving the work program, voting on the budget, and determining the financial arrangements of the Organization. The Assembly also elects the Council.
  • The IMO Council is elected by the Assembly for two-year terms beginning after each regular session of the Assembly.
  • The IMO Council is the Executive Organ of IMO and is responsible for supervising the work of the Organization.
  • The Council performs all the functions of the Assembly (Between sessions of the Assembly), except for making recommendations to Governments on maritime safety and pollution prevention.
  • Recently, IMO has adopted amendments to expand the size of the IMO Council to 52.
• Other functions of the IMO Council 
  • Co-ordinate the activities of the organs of the Organization;
  • Consider the draft work program and budget estimates of the Organization and submit them to the Assembly;
  • Receive reports and proposals of the Committees and other organs and submit them to the Assembly and Member States, with comments and recommendations as appropriate;
  • Appoint the Secretary-General, subject to the approval of the Assembly;
  • Enter into agreements or arrangements concerning the relationship of the Organization with other organizations, subject to approval by the Assembly.

Role Of IMO:

• To promote safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient, and sustainable shipping through cooperation.

Key IMO Conventions:

• International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS, 1974, as amended.
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto and by the Protocol of 1997 (MARPOL)
• International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers ( STCW) as amended, including the 1995 and 2010 Manila Amendments

Source: PIB