The International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations which is responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to prevent pollution from ships. It is also involved in legal matters, including liability and compensation issues and the facilitation of international maritime traffic. It was established by means of a Convention adopted under the auspices of the United Nations in Geneva on 6 March 1948 and met for the first time in January 1959.

IMO currently has 176 Member States. There are 66 intergovernmental organizations which have observer status with IMO; and 85 international non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO.

How is IMO Structured?

​The Organization is led by the Secretary General supported by a Secretariat and around 300 international staff based at IMO headquarters in London. Secretary Generals are appointed for a maximum of two terms, each lasting four years. The current Secretary General is Mr. Arsenio Dominguez from the Republic of Panama. His term began on 1 January 2024.

The IMO Assembly consists of all Member States and is the highest governing body of the Organization. It is responsible for approving the work programme, voting the budget and determining the IMO’s financial arrangements. 

The IMO Council is elected by the Assembly for terms of two years. It acts as the Executive Organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization.  

IMO has five main Committees: 

• Maritime Safety Committee (MSC)   
• Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 
• Legal Committee 
• Technical Cooperation Committee 
• Facilitation Committee