“We did it!” was the term suggested by IALA secretary-general Francis Zachariae as best befitting IALA’s 12-year transition from an NGO to an intergovernmental organisation.
Mr Zacharie delivered his opening presentation to delegates at the first General Assembly of the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) in Singapore on Tuesday morning.
With more than 300 delegates from over 60 countries, including senior government officials and maritime leaders from industry associations and companies, this is the first General Assembly of IATA in its new form as an IGO.
The General Assembly provides a platform to discuss developments in aids to navigation, vessel traffic services, emerging technologies, and governance in emerging areas such as the use of maritime autonomous surface ships.
In a moving opening session, IALA delegates heard from a high-calibre list of speakers including IALA president Rear Admiral Marcos L. De Almeida, Singapore’s senior minister and coordinating minister for national security Teo Chee Hean, IMO secretary-general Arsenio Antonio Dominguez, IHO secretary-general Mathias Jonas and IMSO director-general Laurent Parenté.
Singapore is a very fitting location for the event given the country’s significance to global shipping as the world’s largest global container transhipment port. Singapore was also the first IALA national member to support the transition to IGO.
“I am deeply grateful to Singapore for elevating this first General Assembly to such a prestigious level,” Mr Zachariae of IALA said.
“The transition to an intergovernmental organisation will enable IALA to collaborate more effectively with governments and other intergovernmental organisations. Most importantly, it will strengthen IALA’s role as the leading international technical authority in its field, significantly enhancing global recognition of its work and the standards it seeks to establish.
“This, in turn, will promote greater harmonisation of marine aids to navigation and related services worldwide.
“The continued strong participation of our industrial members will ensure that the vital connection between aids to navigation authorities and service providers remains intact, preserving the high quality and integrity of our work.”
Anticipated benefits of the status change to an IGO include:
- Enhanced international co-operation: The new status will facilitate more robust and formalised co-operation with international maritime organisations, governments, and other stakeholders, fostering a unified approach to global maritime navigation safety.
- Strengthened harmonized framework: As an IGO, IALA will have increased authority to develop and implement standards, recommendations and guideline ensuring that marine aids to navigation including vessel traffic services are consistent and effective across all member states.
- Improved resource allocation: The change will enable better resource allocation and funding opportunities, enhancing the development and maintenance of aids to navigation.
- Greater global influence: IALA’s new status will amplify its voice and influence in international maritime policy discussions, allowing it to advocate more effectively for the interests of maritime safety and environmental protection.
Delegates will also review progress in capacity-building efforts and technical cooperation to support the implementation of modern aids to navigation solutions, particularly in developing maritime nations.
The General Assembly will also be electing the IALA Council for the next term and will set strategic priorities for the organisation’s work in the coming years. In addition to electing the IALA Council from members states, the IALA industrial members will be electing the industrial members group, which will run for the next term and play a crucial role in contributing knowledge, research and development in support of IALA’s strategic priorities.
Established in 1957, IALA’s transition from a non-governmental organisation to an IGO reflects its growing importance in shaping international standards and best practices for safe and efficient navigation.
Its status as an IGO strengthens IALA’s mandate to harmonise global maritime navigation systems, promote maritime safety initiatives, and collaborate with its member states, international organisations, and industry stakeholders to address emerging challenges in maritime safety and environmental protection.
The event began in Singapore on 18 February and will conclude on 21 February.