Bangladesh Seeks Re-Election to IMO Council, Emphasizing Maritime Leadership

Bangladesh has formally presented its candidacy for re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council. Mohammad Yusuf, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, submitted the candidacy at the IMO headquarters in London on Monday.

Bangladesh is vying for one of 20 seats among 27 competing nations in Category 'C' of the IMO Council elections. The IMO holds elections in three categories: A, B, and C. Category C is for countries with a special interest in maritime transport and navigation, and elected members serve a two-year term.

In the December 2023 elections, alongside Bangladesh, the countries elected were The Bahamas, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Türkiye.

Present during the candidacy submission were Abida Islam, Bangladesh's High Commissioner to the UK and Permanent Representative to the IMO, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, and representatives from various countries accredited to the IMO.

The Shipping Secretary highlighted Bangladesh's strategic position as a maritime nation on the Bay of Bengal, noting its crucial participation in global maritime trade due to its traditional heritage and strategic location. He emphasized the significant role played by Chittagong Seaport and Matarbari Deep Sea Port, not only for Bangladesh but for the entire South Asia region.

Since joining the IMO in 1976, Bangladesh has consistently advocated for safe, secure, and sustainable shipping practices. The Shipping Secretary expressed pride in Bangladesh's shipbuilding sector and its 21,000 seafarers working globally, including a growing number of women. He also mentioned Bangladesh's leadership in environmentally friendly ship recycling, currently accounting for nearly half of the global capacity.

As a Least Developed Country (LDC), Bangladesh is committed to safeguarding the interests of LDCs, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and climate-vulnerable countries within the IMO, he added.

Bangladesh has outlined several commitments for its re-election bid, including:

• Promoting safe and inclusive maritime practices.
• Supporting environmentally sound ship recycling.
• Empowering women in the maritime sector.
• Strengthening regional and global maritime cooperation.

The International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for ensuring the safety and security of shipping and preventing marine and atmospheric pollution from ships. The activities of this international body contribute to the achievement of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The IMO's extensive mandate covers various aspects of shipping, including ship design, construction, equipment, and crew management, ensuring that this vital sector remains safe, environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, and secure. The organization currently has 176 member states and three associate members.