The 132nd session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council convened from July 8-12, 2024, at the IMO headquarters in London. Chaired by Mr. Victor Jimenez Fernandez of Spain, with Mrs. Amane Fethallah of Morocco as Vice-Chair, the session addressed a variety of pressing maritime issues and initiatives.
The Council strongly condemned recent attacks by Houthis on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, calling for an immediate cessation of these assaults and the unconditional release of the M/V Galaxy Leader and its crew. This firm stance underscores the IMO’s commitment to maritime security and the safety of seafarers.
In a significant move to enhance transparency, the Council decided to live-stream its plenary meetings to the public, except during voting, Secretary-General appointments, and other sensitive discussions. This initiative aims to make IMO proceedings more accessible, reinforcing the organization’s dedication to openness.
Furthering this commitment, the Council endorsed a proposal to release all Council documents submitted by the Secretariat to the public, unless otherwise decided in advance. Documents from Member States or other organizations will also be publicly available unless marked confidential by the submitter. This policy ensures that key maritime information is more widely accessible, promoting greater accountability.
The session also focused on enhancing multilingualism within the IMO. The Strategic Framework for Multilingualism, initiated in January 2024, aims to develop action points and guidelines to improve linguistic inclusivity. The Council agreed to highlight the dedicated dates of the United Nations’ six official languages in the IMO’s meeting calendar, emphasizing cultural diversity.
Hybrid meeting capabilities were another focal point, with the Council agreeing to permanently integrate these to support in-person meetings, reflecting the evolving needs of global collaboration. The IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) sustainability was also discussed, with a call for Member States to implement corrective action plans and nominate qualified auditors for the upcoming audit cycle.
The upgrade of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) was reviewed, with a modernization project set to begin in September 2024. This upgrade, supported by the Voyage Together Trust Fund, aims to enhance the system’s data management capabilities, benefiting the entire maritime sector.
The Council also endorsed the theme for World Maritime Day 2025: “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.” This theme highlights the ocean’s critical role in global trade and the maritime sector’s responsibility in protecting marine environments. Additionally, the Philippines was chosen to host the World Maritime Day Parallel Event in 2027, further emphasizing the global nature of maritime collaboration.
In recognition of outstanding contributions, the Council awarded the International Maritime Prize for 2023 to Captain Ian Finley of the Cook Islands and recognized exceptional bravery at sea by the crews of the Marlin Luanda and Pemex Maya. These awards highlight the IMO’s commitment to acknowledging significant contributions and acts of heroism within the maritime community.
Finally, the Council recognized Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as official holidays, reflecting the IMO’s respect for cultural and religious diversity. A new Code of Conduct to prevent harassment at IMO events was also adopted, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all participants.
