OMI ASSEMBLY OPENS THIRTY-THIRD SESSION
The IMO Assembly holds its thirty-third session from November 27 to December 6, 2023 and is open to the 175 Member States of IMO and three Associate Members. The session is also attended by observers from intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
The Assembly is the highest Governing Body of the Organization. It consists of all Member States and meets once every two years in regular sessions, but may also meet in an extraordinary session, if necessary. The Assembly is responsible for approving the work programme, the budget and determining the financial arrangements of the Organization. The Assembly also elects the Members of the Council. In addition, the Assembly adopts certain resolutions emanating from the five IMO Committees and endorses actions of the Council with respect to the admission of new intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations as observers. The Assembly also adopts amendments to certain treaties, if so provided therein.
Assembly opening
The meeting was opened by the outgoing President, H.E. Mr. Antonio Manuel R. Lagdameo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations.
The Assembly was addressed by the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Kitack Lim (full speech here).
Lord Davies of Gower spoke on behalf of the host country Government, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Scheduled Activities
The 33rd Assembly will elect its officers: a President, two Vice-Presidents and Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Assembly Committees.
It is envisaged that three Committees will be established: Credentials Committee; Committee 1 (to deal with administrative, financial, legal and technical cooperation matters); and Committee 2 (to deal with technical matters)
During the first day of the Assembly, on November 27, IMO hosts the IMO Awards Ceremony.
The Assembly is also expected to adopt the Strategic Plan for the six-year period 2024 to 2029 and the Organization's budget and work programme for 2024 and 2025
Election of members of the IMO Council
A new 40-Member IMO Council for the 2024-2025 biennium will be elected. The election will take place on Friday, 1 December, by in-person secret ballot.
The newly elected Council will meet on 7 December (for the Council's 131st session) and will elect its Chair and Vice-Chair.
Appointment of the Secretary-General
The Assembly will be invited to approve the appointment of Mr. Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco (Republic of Panama) as IMO Secretary-General, for an initial four-year term starting on 1 January 2024.
The Assembly will be invited to adopt an Assembly Resolution on Appreciation of the Services to the Organization of Mr. Kitack Lim.
Sessions can be followed live on the following at https://www.youtube.com/user/imohq
OMI ASSEMBLY OPENS THIRTY-THIRD SESSION
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