International Maritime Organization

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) – is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships, using legal authority from a variety of conventions such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto and by the Protocol of 1997 (MARPOL), and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as amended.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) was established as the first ever international body devoted exclusively to maritime matters, created by the United Nations in 1948.   As of November 2009, the IMO has 169 Member States and three Associate Members. Its governing body, the Assembly, meets once every two years. Between sessions, the Council, consisting of 40 Member Governments elected by the Assembly, acts as IMO’s governing body. IMO is a technical organization and most of its work is carried out in a number of committees and sub-committees.

One of the most relevant committees to the work of the Sargasso Sea Commission is the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), IMO's senior technical body on marine pollution related matters. The MEPC, which consists of all Member States, is empowered to consider any matter within the scope of the Organization concerned with prevention and control of pollution from ships. In particular it is concerned with the adoption and amendment of conventions and other regulations and measures to ensure their enforcement.

The Sargasso Sea Alliance organized three side events at MEPC meetings to inform the maritime community about  Alliance efforts and the ecological importance of the Sargasso Sea. The Commission continues to engage in relevant activities at the MEPC.