The IMO Assembly, the highest governing body of the organisation, which normally meets once every two years and is open to all 175 member states, recently met for its 33rd session.
The Assembly adopted the strategic plan for the six-year period 2024 to 2029, encompassing eight strategic directions including to respond to climate change and reduce GHG emissions from international shipping. Other strategic directions included addressing the human element, ensuring the regulatory effectiveness of international shipping and ensuring organisational effectiveness.
The Assembly adopted the IMO budget and work programme for 2024 and 2025, elected a new 40-Member IMO Council for the 2024-2025 biennium and approved the appointment of Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco from the Republic of Panama as IMO Secretary-General, for an initial four-year term.
Among the assembly resolutions adopted was an appreciation of services to IMO of Kitack Lim and implementation of the Hong Kong International Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships.
