3 December 2003 - for immediate use
Media Release
Australian maintains role on world maritime body
Australia has again been elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) after 99 of the IMO’s 163 member countries supported its candidacy at the IMO Assembly meeting in London last Friday (28 November 2003).
Australia will continue to take an active role on the 40 member IMO governing body for another two years until the end of 2005. This will take its total period of service on the Council to 36 years since the IMO was established in 1959.
The IMO is the specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for safety of international shipping and prevention of marine pollution from ships. Australia is party to almost all of the IMO’s international conventions.
Mr Clive Davidson, AMSA Chief Executive and head of Australia’s delegation, said the strong vote reflected continuing recognition of Australia’s contribution to the IMO’s work and support for its ship safety and environment protection objectives.
Members of the newly elected Council include:
- China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, and United States representing the largest interests in providing international shipping services
- Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden representing the largest interests in international seaborne trade;
- Algeria, Australia, Bahamas, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Malta, Mexico, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, and Venezuela representing special interests in maritime transport or navigation across all major geographic areas of the world.
Further information:
David Gray AMSA PR 0418 487 794