Philippines gets re-elected as member of IMO Council

The Philippines got another term as member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C for Biennium 2022 to 2023, during elections held in London on Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.

The elections were held during the 32nd session of the IMO Assembly at the IMO Headquarters.

The feat follows the election last December 6 of Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the IMO Antonio Lagdameo as president of the 32nd IMO Assembly, the first time a Filipino held such a post.

Lagdameo, who was head of the Philippine delegation, said the Philippines' re-election to the IMO Council came at an opportune time that the World Maritime Theme is Seafarers at the core of shipping's future, since the country is a major seafaring nation. The delegation includes officials from the DFA, Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), Philippine Coast Guard, and the Office of Transportation Security.

"It is time to work for all the Filipino seafarers around the world. We have a big voice, a powerful voice, guardians in the IMO," Marina administrator Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad said.

According to the DFA, the Council is the organization's executive organ and supervises the work of IMO.

The countries elected to the IMO Council are:

Category A (10 states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services): China, Greece, Italy, Japan. Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Category B (10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade): Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.

Category C (20 states which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world): Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus. Denmark, Egypt, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey and Vanuatu.

—KG, GMA News