Jamaica’s membership of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is “critical to ensuring the interests of member States of the Caribbean, as well as other Small Island Developing States and Least Developed States, continue to be adequately represented”, the Jamaica High Commissioner said as Jamaica began its campaign for re-election in 2025.

Addressing guests during a reception at the IMO, His Excellency Alexander Williams said: “We continue to provide leadership at the IMO on behalf of the Caribbean and SIDS in a number of areas, including the reduction of GHG emissions from international shipping and the IMO’s Women in Maritime programme.”

He highlighted the fact that Jamaica has the only IMO accredited training institution in the Caribbean and hosts the Caribbean MOU on Port State Control, and the Women in Maritime Caribbean secretariat. Jamaica has been a member of the IMO, the United Nations body which regulates international shipping, since 1976.

“Jamaica is fully committed to the work of the IMO, particularly its efforts to improve the implementation of IMO Instruments through the Member State Audit Scheme. Re-election to  the Council in Category C will allow us to further contribute to the goals of the IMO for a safe, secure and environmentally sustainable shipping industry,” the High Commissioner said.

Members of Jamaica’s IMO delegation, including Bertrand Smith, Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, and the Chair of the Authority, Corah Ann Robertson Sylvester, gave guests other detailed information on Jamaica’s important role as a maritime state, its well developed maritime-related facilities, and its contribution to the work of the IMO.