- Minister Cho Seung Hwan of Oceans and Fisheries departs for England to attend the 33rd session of the IMO Assembly -

 Minister Cho Seung Hwan of Ocean and Fisheries will travel to England for a two-night and four-day visit from November 26th (Sunday) to November 29th (Wednesday) to attend the 33rd session of the IMO Assembly, which will take place at the International Maritime Organization headquarters in London, England from November 27th (Monday) to December 6th (Wednesday).

 The Republic of Korea is currently serving its 11th term as a Category A state of the IMO Council, recognized as a substantive standing council member. During the upcoming election of the IMO Assembly session, which shall start on December 1st (Friday), Korea’s appointment to its 12th term as a Category A Council state will be decided.

 * IMO Council consists of 10 Category A states, 10 Category B states, and 20 Category C states

 Korea was first elected to the Council as a Category C state in 1991 and served five consecutive terms. Since 2001, Korea has been designated a Category A state, which continues to firmly maintain its position.

 During his visit to England, Minister Cho will ▲ deliver a keynote speech at the IMO Assembly and hold talks with other members states to secure Korea’s 12th consecutive term as a Category A state on the IMO Council, ▲ sign the Korea-England Letter of Intent for Mutual Cooperation in the Maritime Sector as a follow-up action to the Downing Street Accord, and ▲ enter into a Comprehensive Agreement on the Korea-IMO Trust Fund for Cooperation in Sustainable Maritime Transportation to identify medium to long-term projects and strengthen cooperation with IMO members states.

 In addition, ▲ Minister Cho will hold bilateral talks with the relevant ministers of England, Greece, Morocco, and Qatar to discuss decarbonization initiatives in shipping and cooperation in the port sector.