Libya Returns to IMO Council Meetings for First Time Since 2016
Shipping Arabia, November 6, 2026 – Libya has returned to International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council meetings for the first time since 2016, participating in the Council’s 138th session in London. The move marks a renewed engagement with the organization’s discussions on international maritime governance, shipping security, and regulatory developments.
The session took place at IMO headquarters from November 2 to 6, 2026. Libya’s participation reflects efforts by its Ministry of Transport and Ports and Maritime Transport Authority to strengthen the country’s presence in international maritime affairs and expand cooperation with IMO member states.
Libya Resumes Participation in IMO Council Proceedings
The Libyan delegation includes Wissam Al-Idrisi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Transport for Administrative Affairs and Maritime Transport, and Mohammed Salem Al-Siwi, Chairman of the Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority.
According to the authority, this is Libya’s first participation in IMO Council proceedings since 2016. The delegation’s attendance provides an opportunity to follow international maritime discussions and maintain direct engagement with representatives of other member states.
The participation also reflects Libya’s interest in monitoring decisions and developments affecting the maritime transport sector. Through its involvement, the country aims to strengthen cooperation with international partners and remain informed about evolving maritime requirements.
Maritime Security and Strategic Planning on the Agenda
The 138th IMO Council session addresses several priorities related to the organization’s governance and the challenges facing international maritime transport.
Key agenda items include strategic planning, resource management, financial reporting, external relations, and the organization’s activities.
Maritime security is another significant area of discussion, particularly the protection of vital international shipping routes amid security challenges affecting commercial navigation.
The agenda includes developments affecting the Strait of Hormuz, the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, and the Red Sea. These maritime areas feature in discussions concerning navigation security and the movement of international maritime trade.
For Libya, participation provides an opportunity to follow these discussions and engage with issues affecting coastal states, maritime transport, and international trade.
Strengthening Libya’s Maritime Administration and International Cooperation
The Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority emphasized that participation in IMO activities forms part of broader efforts to develop the capabilities and performance of the country’s national maritime administration.
One objective is to improve Libya’s ability to meet its international maritime obligations. The authority also seeks to keep pace with internationally adopted standards and requirements covering maritime safety, maritime security, and marine environmental protection.
Engagement with IMO member states offers an opportunity to strengthen institutional communication and cooperation. It also allows Libyan maritime officials to follow regulatory developments and international decisions relevant to the country’s shipping and port sectors.
The authority highlighted the importance of maintaining Libya’s presence in international maritime forums, particularly those addressing the interests of coastal states and the challenges facing international shipping.
Libya’s return to IMO Council meetings after a decade therefore represents a renewed opportunity for engagement with the international maritime community. It also supports the country’s stated objectives of strengthening its maritime administration and following developments in international maritime governance.
Source: Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority