“The election of Mexico to the Council of the IMO, an organisation in which it has participated since 1978, is recognition of our country’s commitment to complying with standards for the protection and safety of human life on the sea,” the secretariat said in a statement on Sunday.
On the council, Mexico “will seek to participate in the technical and legal discussions of all its adjunct organs so that, with innovative proposals, it can play a bigger role in improving the rules and regulations of international maritime transportation,” the secretariat said.
Mexico’s priority during the 2016-2017 period will be protection of the marine environment and the creation of a legal framework to meet “the growing world demand for oil exploration, exploitation and production in the sea,” the secretariat said.
Mexico will work to redevelop the Port of Ensenada, located in the northwestern state of Baja California, into Latin America’s second “green port,” the secretariat said.
The country also plans to achieve the re-launch of its merchant marine and continue actively promoting compliance with the IMO’s goals at the regional level.
The IMO, whose council has 40 members, is a UN agency responsible for ensuring secure and safe navigation, and preventing marine pollution from ships. (IANS)