Australia at the IMO

Australia is a founding member of the IMO and has held a seat on its council for many years. We lead efforts to make the IMO more resilient, transparent, and effective.

With 99 % (by volume ) of Australia’s international merchandise trade carried by sea, shipping is critical to Australia’s economic prosperity, environmental protection, and standard of living.

As a member of the IMO’s Council, Australia helps position the IMO to meet the new challenges arising from emerging technology, trade trends, and environmental changes.

• Australia is an active participant — Australia is active in IMO meetings, chairs working groups, and maintains permanent representation in London. 
• We support greater participation of member states at the IMO — We advocate for measures to improve representation from Small Island Developing States and developing countries, for better recognition of seafaring nations’ interests and to recognise the special challenges faced by landlocked member States. We support hybrid meeting attendance and the establishment of a voluntary donor trust fund to help Small Island Developing States attend IMO meetings.
• We champion for consolidated IMO instruments — Australia has successfully advocated for access to consolidated IMO instruments to assist all member States to fully implement maritime standards.
• We advocate for fair and sustainable council decisions — Australia works with member States and the IMO Secretariat to achieve fair and sustainable council decisions.

Meet our team

• The IMO develops and maintains comprehensive standards for international commercial shipping.
• The IMO works to prevent marine and atmospheric pollution from ships, and supports the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
• The 40 Member IMO Council is elected by the Assembly.