Multilateral

In addition to bilateral cooperation objectives, monitoring the activities of International Organizations based in London occupies a significant place on the Embassy’s agenda.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Established in 1948 as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) until 1982, the IMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating maritime navigation. It has 174 member countries with a particular interest in the provision of international maritime services, maritime trade, or maritime transport and navigation.

Senegal joined shortly after its independence but has never held a seat on the Council. As a representation of a member country that is relatively inactive within the IMO, our Embassy:

* takes part in the meetings of the five (5) technical Committees on: Maritime Safety (MSC), Marine Environment Protection (MEPC), Technical Cooperation (TCC), Legal Affairs (LEG), and Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL).
* participates in the IMO Assembly sessions.

The Assembly is held every two (2) years under the leadership of the Assembly President elected at the opening of the Session and the Secretary-General of the organisation.

The meeting brings together several dozen ministerial delegations from member countries and concludes with the adoption of important resolutions and decisions aimed at improving the governance of international maritime navigation and strengthening the preservation of the marine environment. It is marked at the end by the election of the forty (40) members of Categories A (10 countries), B (10 countries) and C (20 countries) of its Council. Prior to this, a campaign to promote candidacies is conducted in London through the diplomatic representations of interested countries.

As part of monitoring these candidacies, the Embassy formulates proposals for support to the Department and proceeds to vote on the day of the election in accordance with the Ministry’s guidelines. To monitor the technical issues raised, the Embassy is also in regular contact with the National Agency for Maritime Affairs of Senegal.

The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds)

The IOPC Funds are two (02) intergovernmental organisations (the 1992 Fund and the Supplementary Fund) whose purpose is to provide compensation in the event of pollution by persistent oil following spills from oil tankers. The main activities of the IOPC Funds in which Senegal participates relate to the annual sessions of the Governing Bodies of the 1992 Fund Assembly, the 1992 Fund Executive Committee and the Supplementary Fund Assembly.

In addition, particular importance is attached to the submission by Member States and their review by the IOPC Funds of the annual reports on oil and financial contributions to the Funds’ operating budget. Senegal is up to date in the submission of its reports, which is done through the National Agency for Maritime Affairs. The IOPC Funds offices are housed by the IMO, and the two institutions maintain functional relationships.

The International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO)

With 104 Member States, IMSO is an Intergovernmental Organization responsible for monitoring maritime safety and security through satellite information and communication technologies. The organisation annually gathers the Representatives of its member countries.