MANILA — Aiming to continue its unwavering commitment towards maritime excellence and sustainability, the Philippines, through the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), hosted a Diplomatic Reception held on 26 September 2023 to intensify its bid in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C for 2024-2025 biennium.
The Philippines has been a member of the IMO since 1964 and has been re-elected to the IMO Council under Category C since 1997.
The country’s membership to the IMO Council under Category C provides continued opportunity to strongly participate and contribute in policy and decision-making processes affecting our maritime interests, particularly in the advancement of the welfare of the Filipino seafarers, safer ships, sustainable marine environment and future-ready maritime industry. It likewise serves as a platform to promote our Filipino seafarers, Philippine ship registry, shipbuilding and ship repair, and other industries related to maritime in the international fora.
During the Diplomatic Reception, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique A. Manalo mentioned in his message that through the country’s active engagement and membership in the IMO, the Philippines remains at the forefront in improving the welfare of seafarers and promoting international cooperation for marine environment protection, vibrant, and responsible shipping industry.
He likewise highlighted that the Philippines will continuously promote the interests of seafarers.
“If re-elected to the IMO Council, the Philippines will continue to actively promote the interests of seafarers – upon whom the global maritime industry and commerce depend,” Secretary Manalo said.
On the other hand, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Maritime, Usec. Elmer Francisco U. Sarmiento delivered the message of the Secretary of Transportation, Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, wherein he expressed the country’s intention to remain a member of the IMO Council under Category C to be able to sustain various technical cooperation projects in the area of capacity building to be able to implement state administration responsibilities as required under relevant international conventions, instruments, and protocols.
He likewise shared the initiatives of the Philippines relevant to the promotion of the welfare of the maritime professionals, shipbuilding, maritime safety, marine environment protection, and digitalization.
“We hope we have demonstrated our commitment to advancing the maritime industry to the next level as we pledge to remain a proactive member of the IMO at ensuring safety of life and property at sea, sustainable shipping and environmentally sound marine industry,” Undersecretary Sarmiento highlighted.
Further, the Maritime Attaché in London, Atty. Jean Ver P. Pia, PhD, underscored that being a Member State to the IMO, the Philippines has exemplified its commitment in ensuring sustainable shipping and maritime transport through active promotion of its maritime interest.
“As a major seafarer-providing country, we are steadfast in this commitment of ensuring the safety of our 1.1 million competent and skilled Filipino maritime professionals who entrust us, to steer the helm towards a progressive, safe, sustainable, environmentally sound and future-ready green maritime industry,” Atty. Pia added.
The Diplomatic Reception was attended by the members of the diplomatic corps and honorary consuls from other IMO Member States and representatives from the DOTr, DFA, MARINA, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
The collaterals for the candidature of the Philippines to the IMO Council under Category C could be access through this ????: ?????://??????.???.??/???-???????-?-???????????-????/
The IMO Council is the executive organ responsible for supervising the work of the Organization. It has three (3) categories namely Category A, Category B, and Category C where the Philippines is a party to.
Category A is composed of ten (10) States with the largest interest in providing international shipping services.
While Category B is composed of ten (10) States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade.
Category C, on the other hand, is composed of 20 States not elected under Categories (A) or (B), 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.