Bangladesh has gained a great achievement by getting elected as a member of the Executive Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in the month of victory.
Speaking at a press conference at the secretariat on Sunday, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said Bangladesh’s entry to the IOM as it’s member in the ‘C’ category is a big achievement, considering the competition among 25 countries for the position.
Bangladesh secured an impressive 128 votes out of 168 votes in the election held on December 1, solidifying its position in the IMO Executive Council for the 2024-2025 term.
The IMO Executive Council is composed of three categories - A, B, and C. Category ‘A’ represents the 10 countries mostly involved in providing international shipping services, while Category ‘B’ comprises top 10 countries engaged in international seaborne trade. Category ‘C’, which Bangladesh now belongs to, includes 20 countries with special interests in maritime transport or navigation. It ensures representation of major geographical regions.
Khalid Mahmud citing the ratification of the Hong Kong Convention in June as a key factor in the election success said this victory would contribute to enhancing the efficiency of the country’s shipbuilding, ship management, and ship recycling sectors, consequently elevating the country’s reputation in the global maritime community.
Twenty countries which has been elected to Category ‘C’ alongside Bangladesh are Singapore, Malta, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Mexico, Philippines, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bahamas, Cyprus, Morocco, Denmark, Qatar, Kenya, Peru, Finland, and Jamaica.
Referring to various achievements of the shipping ministry over the past five years, Khalid Mahmud said despite global challenges, Bangladesh is moving forward, ensuring stability in the country’s maritime sector and contributing to the overall progress.
