Turkey renews membership in IMO Council

By Havva Kara Aydin

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey was reelected Friday the member of International Maritime Organization (IMO).

“International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council elections were held during the 31st Session of the IMO Assembly in London on 29 November 2019. Turkey was reelected to the Council at those elections,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Turkey has been elected in all biennial council elections since its first-ever candidacy in 1999, it said, adding its reelection has strengthened its position in the Council, the executive organ of the IMO.

Turkey will continue to contribute to the work of the IMO, the statement noted.

The IMO Council is the executive organ of the IMO, which is the UN specialized agency responsible for maritime safety and security and protection of the marine environment.

The IMO has the responsibility to take binding decisions for member countries on maritime issues. It includes 171 member countries, 76 international nongovernmental observatory institutions and 64 intergovernmental institutions.

Turkey joined the IMO on July 25, 1956 and served as the president of the General Assembly between 2013 and 2015 as a permanent representative of the organization.