JAMAICA ELECTED TO IMO COUNCIL

Rear Admiral Peter Brady as he chairs a meeting at the IMO meeting in London.

Jamaica has been elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation at its meeting taking place in London, England between November 19 and 30, 2007.

Jamaica submitted its candidacy to become a member of the very influential IMO Council and was selected to join some twenty other states which hold that designation. The country was elected to the 'C' category of the Council. This category accommodates states which have special interest in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council will ensure representation of all major geographic areas of the world. Jamaica by its election, joins states such as Australia, Bahamas, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Indonesia, Malta, Mexico, Nigeria, the Phillipines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey and Thailand in this category.

The Assembly of the IMO accommodates three categories of countries on its Council. These are Category 'A' which has ten states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services and Category 'B' which consists of members with the largest interest in international seaborne trade.

The IMO Council is the executive arm of the IMO and is responsible under the Assembly for supervising the work of the Organisation. During the intervening periods between sessions of the Assembly, the Council performs all the functions of the Organisation. Among its various functions, it also appoints the Secretary General, subject to the approval of the Assembly, and enters into arrangements concerning the relationship of the IMO with other Organisations.

The Assembly of the IMO accommodates three categories of countries on its Council. These are Category 'A' which has ten states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services and Category 'B' which consists of members with the largest interest in international seaborne trade.

Jamaica, through its port service offerings, ship registry and technical maritime services of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, bunkering, cruise ship and container services, now has its maritime profile considerably raised by its election to the IMO Council.

Jamaica is being represented at the IMO Meeting by a delegation led by Transport and Works Minister, Hon. Mike Henry. Other members of the delegation are Permanent Secretary, Dr. Alwin Hales; Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, Rear Admiral Peter Brady; Ms. Valerie Simpson and Mrs. Jodi Barrow, both of the Ministry of Transport and Works.