Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Thursday hosted a high-profile reception for member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), seeking support for Bangladesh’s re-election to the IMO Council.

The reception brought together envoys and senior diplomats from dozens of embassies, underscoring Bangladesh’s active diplomatic outreach ahead of the upcoming IMO Council election.

The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization.

The Council is made up of 40 Member States, elected by the Assembly for two-year terms.

Bangladesh made history in 2023 by winning a seat in the highly competitive Category C of the IMO Council for the first time, securing 128 votes at the London headquarters, said the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

The IMO Council, composed of 40 member states across three categories (A, B, and C), plays a decisive role in shaping global maritime policy.

Category C ensures representation of countries with special maritime interests and broad geographic balance.

The IMO, the UN’s only specialized agency regulating international shipping, sets standards on maritime safety, security, seafaring, and pollution control–issues directly affecting global trade and commerce.

Speaking at the event, Mohammed Yousuf, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, Bangladesh, highlighted the country’s expanding maritime transport sector and the growing significance of its ports as critical sea routes for international commerce.

Commodore Md Shafiul Bari, Director General of the Department of Shipping, delivered a detailed presentation, while Deputy High Commissioner Preeti Rahman also addressed the gathering.