The Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Organization’s highest governing body, will hold its 34th regular session (A34) from Monday, 24 November, to Wednesday, 3 December 2025, at IMO Headquarters in London.
The bi-annual session will be critical for shaping the Organization’s future direction, with a primary focus on the election of the 40-Member IMO Council for the 2026–2027 biennium and the approval of the revised Strategic Plan for 2024 to 2029.
The Assembly session will be preceded by the 135th session of the IMO Council, scheduled from 19 to 21 November 2025.
The Assembly, which includes representatives from all Member States, will elect the new 40-Member Council on Friday, 28 November, through a secret ballot. The Council serves as the executive organ of the IMO and supervises the work of the Organization under the direction of the Assembly.
The 40 members are elected across three categories:
Category (a): 10 States with the largest interest in providing international shipping services.
Category (b): 10 States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade.
Category (c): 20 States not elected under (a) or (b), which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation, ensuring balanced geographic representation.
The newly elected Council will convene for its 136th session on 4 December 2025 to elect its Chair and Vice-Chair.
A pivotal item on the agenda is the expected adoption of the revised Strategic Plan for the six years 2024 to 2029. This plan will define the strategic directions and priorities for the IMO’s work in the coming years, guiding the maritime sector’s path towards enhanced safety, security, and environmental sustainability. The Assembly will also approve the Organization’s work programme and budget for the 2026 and 2027 biennium.
Delegates are anticipated to adopt several key resolutions that will impact the implementation and enforcement of maritime standards globally, including:
The IMO Capacity Development Strategy.
Revised Procedures for port State control, 2025.
Updated Survey Guidelines under the Harmonized System of Survey and Certification (HSSC), 2025.
The Framework and procedures for the IMO Member State Audit Scheme.
Resolutions concerning the progressive use of Arabic as a working language and criteria for the live streaming of Assembly plenary meetings.
The Assembly will officially commence with the prestigious IMO Awards Ceremony on the evening of the first day, Monday, 24 November, at 5:00 p.m. The ceremony will celebrate excellence and courage within the global maritime community, featuring the presentation of:
The International Maritime Prize for 2024.
The 2025 IMO Honours for Exceptional Bravery at Sea.
