Indonesia re-elected to IMO Council for 2016-2017

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia was re-elected as C-category member of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for 2016-2017 during the 29 th session of the IMO Assembly held in London from November 23 – December 2.

When delivering his speech at the IMO Assembly, Indonesian Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan stressed the country’s seriousness of protecting the maritime environment and becoming a world maritime axis by 2019.

As a nation located between the Indian and the Pacific Oceans, Indonesia wishes to contribute to the safety and security of international shipping, he said.

Indonesia has been a part of the IMO since 1961. It became a member of the IMO Council for the 1973-1975 tenure, and again in 1983-1985.

On November 24, Indonesia became the latest country to ratify a key international measure for environment protection, the Ballast Water Management Convention.

The 40-member Council comprises 10 A-category states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services, 10 B-category states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade, and 20 C-category states with special interests in maritime transport and whose election to the council will ensure the representation of all major geographical areas of the world.

As the executive organ of the IMO, the Council is responsible, under the assembly, for supervising the work of the organisation./.