In a fiercely contested election during the 28th IMO Assembly, Jamaica was successful in securing a seat in the most sought-after Category ‘C’ of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2014-2015 biennium.
The Jamaican delegation was led by The Hon. Dr. Morais Guy, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, and attended by Admiral Peter Brady, Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), and senior officers of the Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW) and the MAJ.
Jamaica’s membership in Category C enhances its capacity and that of the Region to contribute to major policy decisions, rule-making and the development of standards including representing the maritime interests of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in order to implement port, coastal and flag State obligations.
Admiral Brady said: “Re-election to the IMO Council is critical for Jamaica at this time. Our country has evolved as a credible maritime State with port, flag and coastal State standards at the international level and is currently establishing itself as a global Shipping and Logistics Hub.”
Jamaica’s successful bid was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, including the High Commission in London, the Ministry of Transport and Works and the Maritime Authority of Jamaica.
Jamaica has had the honour to serve on the Council of the IMO since 2007 when it was first elected to Category C of the Governing Body.
About IMO’s elections
- The Council is the highest decision making body of this United Nations specialized agency
- with responsibility for maritime safety, security and protection of the marine environment. It comprises 170 Member States and three Associate Members.
- Categories ‘A’ and ‘B’ each comprise 10 states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services.
- Category ‘C’, to which Jamaica has been re-elected, embodies 20 states not elected under Categories ‘A’ or ‘B’, which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.
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