Candidature Statement by Minister Khaw Boon Wan at the 30th Regular Session of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization

Mr President,

1.     Singapore humbly seeks re-election to the Council for three reasons. First, we are a major port state, a flag state and a coastal state along one of the world's busiest waterways, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Second, we bring balanced perspectives to the IMO as a small country with no other enduring interest than to see an open and inclusive trading system where we have safe, secure, efficient and clean shipping. Third, we believe in sharing our development experience with the rest of the world, having benefited from the rest of the world's experience ourselves. As the first country to sign the MOU with the IMO on the Third Country Training Programme, we have trained to date more than 1,900 participants from 85 member countries. We will continue to invest in sharing our expertise with the rest of the world, and continue to play an active role in all IMO discussions.

2.     Mr President, Council membership is both a privilege and a responsibility. If elected, we will only work harder to serve the interests of the global maritime community.

3.     Thank you.