The 34th regular session of the IMO Assembly will take place from 24 November to 3 December 2025 to elect Members of the IMO Council and approve the Organization’s work programme and budget for 2026–2027.
The session is preceded by the 135th IMO Council meeting from 19–21 November. The Assembly, IMO’s highest governing body, comprises all 176 Member States and three Associate Members, with observers from accredited organisations also attending.
During the session, the Assembly will elect the 40 Members of the IMO Council for the 2026–2027 biennium. The Council, as IMO’s executive organ, supervises the Organization’s work under the Assembly’s authority.
Council seats are allocated across three categories: 10 States with the largest interest in providing international shipping services, 10 States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade, and twenty States with special maritime interests to ensure global geographic representation.
The election will be conducted via in-person, secret ballot on 28 November, with the newly elected Council convening on 4 December for its 136th session and electing its Chair and Vice-Chair.
The Assembly is expected to adopt the revised Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and approve the Organization’s 2026–2027 budget and work programme.
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The session will open with the IMO Awards Ceremony on 24 November at 17:00 at IMO Headquarters in London, recognising achievements including the International Maritime Prize 2024 and the 2025 IMO Honours for Exceptional Bravery at Sea.
The Assembly will also adopt resolutions covering IMO’s Capacity Development Strategy, port state control procedures, survey guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC), obligations under the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code), and procedures for the Member State Audit Scheme.
The session will set the strategic and operational direction for IMO while recognising contributions to maritime safety, sustainability, and international shipping governance.
For more information:
International Maritime Organization (IMO) – https://www.imo.org/en
