The election reaffirms Australia’s commitment to maritime safety, security and pollution prevention
Over the weekend Australia was re-elected to the Council of the International MaritimeOrganization (IMO) reflecting our key role in international shipping.
Australia was elected in Category C of the IMO Council at the IMO’s 28th Assembly in London,which meets every two years. Category C consists of ’20 IMO Members with a special interest inmaritime transport or navigation, and whose election will ensure the representation of all majorgeographic areas of the world’.
“Australia has long demonstrated its commitment to deep engagement in the Indian Ocean andAsia-Pacific regions,” Mr Truss said.”The election also reaffirms Australia’s commitment to the IMO and its important work ininternational maritime safety, security and pollution prevention.”
Australia is a founding member of the IMO and an elected member of Council since 1985 and, priorto that, from 1959 to 1975. Australia is one of the few countries to have been represented on theIMO Council for more than 40 years.
“Australia is a significant maritime nation,” Mr Truss added. “We are the world’s largest islandnation and responsible for 16 million square kilometres of ocean under the United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea.
“Australia’s maritime zone includes 12,000 islands and covers all five of the world’s oceantemperature zones, from tropical to polar. Our marine environment is also home to spectacularbiodiversity, much of it endemic to Australian waters.”And our economic prosperity is reliant on safe, secure and efficient international shipping.
“The Australian Government aims to ensure that the thousands of international vessels visitingAustralian ports each year are seaworthy, have competent crews and can safely navigate their waythrough our pristine marine areas, such as the Great Barrier Reef.”