1 December 2001
Mr Chen Tze Penn, Director-General of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was elected on Friday 30 November 2001 as Chairman of the new IMO Council. Singapore was re-elected to the Council the previous Friday during the 22nd session of the IMO Assembly. Mr Chen led the Singapore delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Ministry of Transport (MOT), and MPA to the Assembly. Mr Chen's nomination was proposed by the People's Republic of China and seconded by the United Kingdom and Canada. After 29 Council members spoke in support of Mr Chen, he was elected by acclamation.
The IMO is a specialised agency of the UN responsible for maritime safety and prevention of marine pollution from ships. Based in London, the IMO has a membership of 160 member-States and two associate members. The principal organs of the IMO are the Assembly, the Council and the five technical committees. The Assembly is held every two years. In between the Assembly sessions, the activities of the IMO are governed by the Council. Election of the Chairman is by the Council members and the tenure of the Chairmanship is two years.
Mr Chen's election to the post of Council Chairmanship is a great honour which brings with it a heavy responsibility for Singapore. The IMO is currently undergoing a major organisational review and as Council Chairman, Mr Chen will carry the responsibility of leading and implementing organisational and financial reforms in the IMO systems and processes over the next two years.
Mr Chen has had more than 10 years experience in dealing with IMO matters, first in his previous position in the Ministry of Communications and now in his capacity as Director-General of MPA since 1996.
End of release.
