IMO Institutional Structure and Law-Making Process - Prevention of Pollution of the Marine Environment from Vessels - page 22

international shipping services”; ten members “with the largest interest in interna-
tional seaborne trade”; and 20 members with “special interests in maritime trans-
port or navigation” ensuring the representation of all major geographic areas of the
world. 26 There is a tension between developed and developing countries regarding
the election in the Council. There was a controversy regarding election of the
Council members in the 24th Assembly held in 2005 because despite the provision
for ensuring the representation of all major geographic areas of the world, Assem-
bly did not elect members form West Arica, Central Africa, Latin America and
Eastern Europe. 27
The Council is responsible for all the functions of the IMO Assembly between
sessions of the Assembly, except making recommendations under article 15
(j) regarding adoption of regulations and guidelines. 28 The Council is entrusted
with the responsibility of considering budget estimates and work programmes of
different IMO organs, and with submitting those to the Assembly. 29 The Council is
also responsible for receiving reports, proposals and recommendations from other
IMO organs and transmitting the same to the Assembly and, if the Assembly is not
in session, to the Members for information with comments and recommendations. 30
The Council is empowered to appoint the Secretary-General subject to approval of
the Assembly. 31 It is also responsible for appointment of other administrative and
technical staff members of the organisation. 32 It is also responsible for establishing
relationships with other organisations. 33

26 IMO Convention, article 17. “Council members for the 2014-2015 biennium: Category (a): ten
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): ten other 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 geo-
graphic areas of the world: Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Indonesia,
Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Singapore,
South Africa, Thailand, Turkey.” Structure of IMO, http://www.imo.org/About/Pages/Structure.
aspx , last accessed on 7 June 2014.
27

Ademun-Odeke ( 2007 ).
28 IMO Convention, art 26.
29 IMO Convention, art 21(a).
30 IMO Convention, art 21(b).
31 IMO Convention, art 22.
32 Ibid.
33 IMO Convention, art 25.