What is the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)?

About International Maritime Organisation (IMO):

• It is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to prevent pollution from ships.
• Mandate: Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted, and universally implemented.
• Background: It was established as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) in 1948, became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1959, and was renamed the International Maritime Organization in 1982.
• Governance:
  • Assembly:
    • It is the highest Governing Body of the IMO.
    • It consists of all Member States, and it meets once every two years in regular sessions.
    • The Assembly is responsible for approving the work program, voting the budget, and electing the Council.
  • Council:
    • It is the Executive Organ of the IMO and consists of 40 elected members.
    • It is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization.
  • Committees: The five policy-making committees are responsible for the development, review, updating, and approval of the organization’s guidelines and regulations.
• Funding: Funding for the organization comes from contributions by member states, as well as voluntary donations and commercial activities.
• Members:
  • It currently has 176 Member States.
  • India has been a member since 1959
• Headquarters: London.