Singapore Elected to the Council of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA)

1.     Singapore was elected to the Council of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) for the period of 2025 to 2027 at the inaugural IALA General Assembly on 20 February 2025.

2.     IALA was established in 1957, and this is its first General Assembly since becoming an intergovernmental organisation on 22 August 2024, following the entry into force of the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation¹. Singapore has been a National Member since 1972 and an IALA Council member since 2018².

3.     The General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (or “Singapore Declaration”), which outlines IALA’s role in the maritime domain to improve maritime safety through the continued development and harmonisation of Marine Aids to Navigations by enhancing international cooperation. See Annex A [PDF, 127 KB].

4.     Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance hosted the IALA General Assembly’s official dinner on 19 February 2025. In his address, Mr Chee congratulated IALA on its successful transition to an intergovernmental organisation, and reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to advancing global maritime safety. 

5.     Singapore’s election to the Council allows it to further strengthen its collaboration with IALA and its Member States in shaping strategic policies, approving technical standards towards the harmonisation of marine aids to navigation, and fostering international partnerships. As a Member State, Singapore will continue to work with IALA World-Wide Academy (IALA WWA) under its standing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IALA to fund and support the capacity building and human resource development of IALA members. At the same General Assembly, Singapore also renewed its MoU with IALA WWA to support its training and capacity building efforts.

6.     As the current Vice-Chair of IALA’s Engineering & Sustainability Committee’s (ENG) Working Group 1 and Digital Technologies Committee’s (DTEC) Working Group 2, Singapore has played a key role in developing standards, recommendations and guidelines to help harmonise Aids to Navigation. Notably, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) led the drafting of the Guideline on Aids to Navigation at the 19th Session of the ENG, which was later approved by the IALA Transition Council in December 2024.  Captain M Segar, MPA Chief Marine Officer, will continue to serve as Singapore’s representative to the IALA Council.

7.     Mr Chee said: “Singapore is honoured to be elected to the IALA Council. As a leading maritime hub port and coastal State, Singapore will continue to support IALA’s work in developing global standards to harmonise Marine Aids to Navigation worldwide. We look forward to working closely with IALA and supporting all countries to enhance efficiency of maritime navigation worldwide.” 

¹In May 2014, the IALA General Assembly adopted a resolution to transit from a non-governmental organization (NGO) to an intergovernmental organization (IGO). The Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (“Convention”) was finalised in February 2020 and was open for signature to all member States of the United Nations from November 2020. Having met the minimum requirement of 30 ratifications, the former International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities officially changed its status from an NGO to an IGO on 22 August 2020 (i.e. 90 days after the date of deposit of the 30th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession). Following the change in status, the organisation has been renamed the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. 

²Singapore was a National Member to IALA, then known as the International Association for Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities, since 1972. We were first elected to the IALA Council in 2018 at the 13th General Assembly of IALA in Incheon, Republic of Korea.