30 November 2009

1 Singapore has been re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for a ninth term. The election was held at the 26th Session of the IMO Assembly in London on 27 November 2009.

2 Singapore's membership to the IMO Council has enabled the Republic to contribute significantly towards advancing the international maritime community's efforts to enhance navigational safety, promote efficient and sustainable shipping, and protect the marine environment. Singapore was first elected to the IMO Council in 1993 and has since been re-elected to the Council at subsequent biennial IMO Assemblies.

3 Following Singapore's successful re-election, Mr Raymond Lim, Singapore's Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, who led the Singapore delegation, comprising officials from the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said, "Singapore is honoured to be re-elected to the IMO Council. We are gratified that our contributions to the IMO over the years are valued and recognised by the international community. Singapore takes our responsibility as a Council member seriously. We will continue to play an active role in the IMO to contribute towards the IMO's goal of safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans."

4 An IMO Council Member since 1993, Singapore has contributed to, and played an active role in the IMO. Singapore has also had the honour of serving in various leadership positions in the IMO, such as the Chairman of the IMO Council for a two-year term between 2001 and 2003, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases since 2001, Vice-Chairman of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, and Vice-Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping. Singapore also participated actively in the formulation of the IMO Strategic Plan which sets out the strategic directions for the IMO.

5 Together with Malaysia and Indonesia, Singapore also worked closely with the IMO to develop the Cooperative Mechanism for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) under the IMO's "Protection of Vital Shipping Lanes" initiative. The Cooperative Mechanism was launched in September 2007, and seeks to promote international cooperation to keep the SOMS, one of the most important waterways in the world, safe and open for international shipping.

6 The Council membership is for a term of two years. The next IMO Assembly will convene to re-elect the new Council Member States in 2011.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION (IMO)

1. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations for shipping. It was established in 1948 and is devoted exclusively to maritime matters. Its main objective is to facilitate cooperation among governments on technical matters affecting international shipping, such as maritime safety and prevention of pollution from ships. The IMO also deals with legal matters connected with international shipping and facilitation of international maritime traffic.

2. The principal organs of the IMO are the Assembly, the Council and five Committees. The IMO Assembly is held every two years. In between the Assembly sessions, the activities of the IMO are governed by the IMO Council. The IMO Council is composed of 40 members elected at the IMO Assembly. Membership is for two years and members are eligible for re-election. The next election will be held during the 27th IMO Assembly in November 2011 at IMO headquarters in London.

3. Elections are by secret ballot cast by representatives of IMO member countries attending the Assembly session. Each country has one vote for each Council seat contested.

4. As the world's busiest port in terms of shipping tonnage and container throughput, a littoral State of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, a key international waterway, as well as the world's fifth largest ship registry, Singapore appreciates the multiple interests in international shipping and firmly believes that the IMO should be the sole regulator of international shipping.

5. Being a member of the IMO Council therefore allows Singapore to help ensure that the diverse views and interests of IMO Member States are taken into account in the work of the IMO. Council membership also allows Singapore to contribute its maritime expertise towards attaining the IMO's objective of "safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans".

Issued by the Ministry of Transport