RF Ministry of Transport considers it necessary to restore geopolitical balance within IMO Council

Russia Ministry of Transport considers it necessary to restore the geopolitical balance within the IMO Council, Yury Tsvetkov, Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, said at the IMO Assembly meeting which is currently underway in London.

“We are also satisfied with the reform process. A lot has been done for two years. Meanwhile, some reform components require further elaboration. First of all, it is the issue of ensuring fair geographical representation in the IMO Council. Through joint efforts we will hopefully find a formula allowing to redress the long-lasting geopolitical imbalance within the Council”, said the speaker representing Russia.  

The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization. The Council is made up of 40 Member States, elected by the Assembly for two-year terms and comprising three categories: 10 States with the largest interest in providing international shipping services; States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade; 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.