THE Philippines retained its seat in the influential International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council during the elections held last November 28 in London.
The country bested 19 other countries in Category C – the 20 states or countries which havw special interests in maritime transport or navigation – by topping the elections with 122 votes.
The election of countries under category C to the council will also ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world. Other countries elected in category C include Singapore with 121 votes; Malta, 120 votes; Cyprus, 120 votes; Egypt, 113 votes; South Africa, 105 votes; Bahamas, 105 votes; Indonesia, 104 votes; Australia, 99 votes; Turkey – 98 votes; Portugal, 95 votes; Mexico, 95 votes; Venezuela, 89 votes; Chile, 88 votes; Nigeria, 84; Ghana, 83; Saudi Arabia, 81; Algeria, 81; Denmark, 80; and Poland, 79 votes.
The Philippine delegation to the IMO assembly include Ambassador Edgardo Espiritu, Maritime Industry Authority administrator Oscar M. Sevilla, Philippine Ports Authority general manager Alfonso Cusi and Philippine Coast Guard commandant Arthur Gosingan. The council elections, held every two years, witnessed the country’s strong position in the maritime industry.
The ten states voted in Category A or those with the largest interest in providing international shipping services were China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States.
Category B elected states or those with the largest interest in international seaborne trade included Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.
