Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 5
Trend:
A delegation led by the head of the Azerbaijan State Maritime Administration Gudrat Gurbanov participated at the 28th session of the International Maritime Organisation Assembly held in London from Nov.25 to Dec.4, 2013. Azerbaijan has been a member since 1995, a message from the Azerbaijan State Maritime Administration published on Dec.5 said.
Speaking at the session, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation Assembly Koji Sekimitsu drew attention to the activities carried out with the prevention of cases of maritime piracy which is of great concern to the international community and to work carried out by international organisations to mobilise opposition forces to this negative phenomenon, the message said.
During the session the condition of sailors held captive by pirates, as well as the strengthening of measures for their release were discussed.
In addition, the decrease of maritime piracy cases in recent times as a result of relevant work was highly appreciated.
During the session, former Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan and now current Turkish Ambassador to Great Britain, Unal Chevikoz was elected chairman of the International Maritime Organisation Assembly for a period of two years (2014-2015), the message said.
There was also a meeting held between Chevikoz and the head of the Azerbaijani delegation Gudrat Gurbanov, the message added.
During the session there the reports of committees of the International Maritime Organisation were heard which included changes to international conventions on load signs and dimensions of vessels, as well as to international rules to prevent collision of vessels were considered.
At the session there were talks on the issue of audit inspection of the organisation's member states.
At the 28th session around 40 countries were elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation, the message said.
The Assembly which has around 170 member states completed its work by adopting a number of serious decisions in the sphere of maritime security.
