1 Introduction
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee-Marine Environment Protection Committee Circulars - MSC-MEPC.1 Circulars - MSC-MEPC.1/Circular.4/Rev.4 – Guidelines on the Organization and Method of Work of the Maritime Safety Committee and the Marine Environment Protection Committee and their Subsidiary Bodies – (10 June 2015) - Annex – Guidelines on the Organization and Method of Work of the Maritime Safety Committee and the Marine Environment Protection Committee and their Subsidiary Bodies - 1 Introduction

1 Introduction

Purpose and application

1.1 The purpose of these guidelines, also referred to as the "Committees' Guidelines", is to provide a uniform basis for the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and their subsidiary bodies to conduct their work in an efficient and effective manner and to strengthen the linkage between the Organization's strategy, the work of the Committees and the biennial budget, with a view to achieving IMO's objectives and the priorities over a biennium. This in turn will enable the Committees to respond successfully to the needs for enhanced maritime safety, maritime security and protection of the marine environment, thus providing an efficient mechanism towards achieving the desired goals of the Organization.

1.2 Proper application of the guidelines will also enhance the ability of Committee members and delegations to meetings of subsidiary bodies of the Committees to cover the full spectrum of IMO activities relevant to their work and thus provide for their effective participation in the rule-making process of the Organization. It is also expected that the guidelines will enable the Committees to further improve their decision-making functions.

1.3 The guidelines are applicable to the work of the Committees and their subsidiary bodies as well as to that of working, drafting and correspondence groups set up by these bodies. The Chairmen of the Committees, subsidiary bodies and working, drafting and correspondence groups should make all efforts to ensure strict compliance with the guidelines.

1.4 The guidelines will be kept under review and will be updated as necessary in the light of experience gained in their application, taking into account the Guidelines on the application of the Strategic Plan and the High-level Action Plan of the Organization (resolution A.1062(28)), as may be amended.

Objectives

1.5 The provisions of these guidelines are aimed at achieving the following objectives:

  • .1 to align and strengthen the planning and reporting processes by linking agenda-setting and reporting more clearly to the Strategic Plan and High-level Action Plan;

  • .2 to strengthen the linkage between planned outputs and the resources required to deliver the outputs;

  • .3 to facilitate the efforts of the Committees in controlling and monitoring the Organization's work;

  • .4 to promote greater understanding and assimilation of the interconnections between the Strategic Plan and High-level Action Plan and planned outputs;

  • .5 to promote discipline in adherence to the planning procedures and guidelines;

  • .6 to promote objectivity, clarity and realistic time frames in the establishment of biennial agendas by the Committees and their subsidiary bodies;

  • .7 to ensure maximum possible participation by all Member States and organizations with observer status in the work of the Committees and their subsidiary bodies; and

  • .8 to establish responsibilities and promote involvement in the planning and reporting processes of the Organization.

Parent topic: Annex – Guidelines on the Organization and Method of Work of the Maritime Safety Committee and the Marine Environment Protection Committee and their Subsidiary Bodies
Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.