The Council Membership is divided into the following three categories:

[mstakh.i.mo.mi]

It also has three associate members, which are not considered states:

Faroes (2002)
Hong Kong, China (1967)
Macao, China (1990)
A state must ratify a multilateral treaty of the Convention on the International Maritime Organisation to become a member of the IMO.

It also works with inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on maritime policy. Currently, there are 66 inter-governmental organisations and 89 international NGOs. While the former has an observer status, the latter is in consultative status with the IMO.

Organisational Structure of the IMO
With more than 170 members, the IMO is headed by a secretary general. They armenia phone number list serve a four-year term and oversee a secretariat staff of around 300 people. They have one of the smallest staff in the entire UN agency. The IMO also consists of an Assembly, a Council, and five main Committees. The primary policy-making body of the IMO meets once every two years, where all members are represented in the Assembly. The IMO also features a Council, which consists of 40 members. This Council meets twice every year and is responsible for governing the organisation between different sessions of the Assembly.



The eight countries with the ‘largest interest’ in offering international shipping services.
The eight countries with the ‘largest interest’ in offering international seaborne trade.
Sixteen countries with a ‘special interest’ in maritime transport. These countries must be selected to ensure equitable geographic representation.
The Maritime Safety Committee meets annually and submits safety proposals to the Assembly.