Censu Galea to address IMO assembly

Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea will lead the Malta delegation to the 24th Regular Session of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organisation in London.

The assembly, which is made up of all the 167 state parties to the IMO convention and two observers, is the highest body of the United Nations specialised agency which is responsible for maritime affairs. A number of non-governmental organisations that enjoy a consultative status with IMO also attend.

The assembly meets every two years and inter alia approves the organisation's work programme and budget and elects the council to serve for the biennium. Malta is seeking to be elected to the council for the fifth time and for the fourth consecutive term.

Minister Galea is expected to address the assembly on the opening day, when he will reiterate Malta's commitment to the IMO's objectives and work and Government's support for both IMLI and REMPEC. His intervention will also address sensitive issues such as responsibility for persons rescued at sea, piracy attacks on ships, the employment and treatment of seafarers and, the development of international facilitation standards.

Mr Galea will also hold bilateral talks with several other ministers responsible for maritime affairs to follow up on current relations and establish new ones. The fleet of about 1,500 trading ships flying the Malta flag sails to all corners of the world.

Lino Vassallo, Malta's permanent representative to the IMO, will head Malta's delegation on Minister Galea's return to Malta.

Malta has a special relationship with IMO. In view of its very high tonnage, Malta is one the ten top contributors to its budget. Malta also hosts the IMO International Maritime Law Institute and the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC), set up under the Mediterranean Action Plan and run by IMO.