Damascus, Syria – The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday evening, November 29, 2025, that Syria had regained its voting rights within the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This enabled Syria to participate in elections for membership in the organization’s council for the first time in years.
This step comes as part of the meetings of the 34th session of the General Assembly of the organization, which is being held at its headquarters in London from November 24 to December 3, 2025. It includes the election of 40 members to the Council for the period 2026-2027.
The director of the ministry’s International Organizations Department, Saad Baroud, explained that the elections took place on November 28 at the organization’s headquarters in London. He also noted that restoring these rights represents “a new step on the path to Syria’s active return to international institutions and multilateral platforms.”
He added that participation would enhance Damascus’s presence in shaping global maritime policies and decisions. This includes maritime safety, pollution prevention, and the regulation of international transport.
Syria has had its voting rights within the IMO suspended for years. This is similar to what has happened in other UN organizations due to political challenges and international sanctions.
This interruption prevented its effective participation in decisions related to its maritime sector, which depends on ports such as Tartus and Latakia.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a United Nations agency. It has 175 member states (including Syria) and is primarily responsible for regulating international shipping and maritime safety.
Based in London, it oversees treaties such as the SOLAS Convention for safety and MARPOL for pollution prevention. The council, elected every two years, manages operations between sessions of the General Assembly.
