Qatar has won a Category C membership of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council in the elections held during the 32nd Session of the IMO Assembly at IMO headquarters in London.
The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organisation. The Council is made up of 40 member states.
The member states lauded the capabilities of Qatar to perform an effective role to enhance the work of the global maritime system and to contribute to stimulating global maritime trade, the Ministry of Transport said in a statement. Qatar recorded the best results among all the candidacies alongside 40 IMO Council member states.
On this occasion, HE the Minister of Transport Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti said that winning the IMO Council membership affirms Qatar’s ranking and appreciation at forums and organisations at regional and international levels under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
"This also reflects the member states’ trust in the work Qatar is doing with regard to maritime navigation’s safety and security and marine environment protection and which receive a close attention and unlimited support from HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani.
The Minister voiced his appreciation for brotherly and friendly member states’ trust and backing of Qatar’s candidacy. He also praised the big efforts made by the work team to achieve that success, which reflected meanings of indivisibility and interdependence between government and private sectors to raise the name of Qatar at international fora, on top of them are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, the maritime authority, Qatar’s commercial, industrial and tourist ports and private sector’s maritime transportation companies.
Qatar’s presence in the IMO Council, he said, will enhance the efforts that aim at developing global regulations and laws in maritime navigation realm, thus supporting the growth of world trade.
HE al-Sulaiti also emphasised making all efforts that support IMO’s plans and programmes to achieve its objectives and principles, in addition to continuing to carrying out several national projects to keep pace with all developments in maritime transportation and shipping industry, which is one of the world’s most advanced industries.