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The Assembly of the International Maritime Organization has elected the following states to be members of its Council for the 2012-2013 biennium:

Category A - 10 states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services:

China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States.

Category B - 10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade:

Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden.

Category C- 20 states not elected under A or B above, 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:

Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey.

During the process, Nigeria lost its re-election bid into Category C of the governing body of the IMO.

The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the organization. Between sessions of the Assembly, the Council performs all the functions of the Assembly, except that of making recommendations to Governments on maritime safety and pollution prevention.

The newly elected Council will meet following the conclusion of the 27th Assembly for its 107th session.

Background

The 27th session of the IMO Assembly was held at IMO Headquarters, London, from 21 to 30 November 2011.

The Assembly is IMO's highest governing body. All 170 Member States and three Associate Members are entitled to attend, as are the intergovernmental organizations with which agreements of co operation have been concluded, and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO.

The Assembly normally meets once every two years in regular session. It is responsible for approving the work programme, voting the budget and determining the financial arrangements of the Organization. It also elects the Council.