Other Technical and Regional Organizations
As a leader in the maritime industry, the Bureau of Maritime Affairs (BMA) is an active member of the International Maritime Organization along with the following organizations:
- International Labor Organization (ILO)
- United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
- International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT)
- Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA)
International Labor Organization (ILO)
Due to the global nature of the shipping industry, the International Labor Organization (ILO) aims to protect the rights of the world's more than 1.2 million seafarers. It helps establish international standards for the safe working conditions for human life on the sea. The BMA actively participates in relevant annual ILO meetings and often provides assistance to Liberian seafarers to participate in such meetings. The BMA also works collaboratively with the Liberia Ministry of Labor to ensure compliance with various maritime labor conventions. For more information on the functions and of the ILO, click here.
United Nations Environmental Protection Agency (UNEP)
The United Nations Environmental Protection Program (UNEP) coordinates the United Nations environmental activities and has aided in the development of guidelines and treaties on issues, such as the international trade of potentially harmful chemicals, trans-boundary air pollution, and the contamination of international waterways. Founded in June 1972, it has played a significant role by using scientific information to develop international environmental conventions and policies in collaboration with national governments, regional institutions, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). UNEP has also been active in funding and implementing environmentally related development projects. www.unep.org
International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT)
INMARSAT is an international telecommunications company originally operating as an intergovernmental organization. It provides telephony and data services to users world-wide, via special terminals which communicate to ground stations through twelve geosynchronous telecommunications satellite. Inmarsat's network provides reliable communications services to a range of governments, aid agencies, media outlets and businesses with a need to communicate in remote regions or where there is no reliable terrestrial network. INMARSAT was established in 1979, with Liberia being a founding member. The Bureau of Maritime Affairs is a signatory to the Protocol establishing INMARSAT, and represents the Republic of Liberia. For more information on the functions and of the Inmarsat, click here.
Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA)
The Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Africa’s only sub-regional sectoral body dedicated to providing a platform for handling all maritime/transit transport matters common to its 25 Member States, was established in 1975. Based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, MOWCA is comprised of 20 coastal and five landlocked countries, from Mauritania to Angola. MOWCA is currently implementing a number of sub-regional projects and programs, which focus on the Abidjan Charter, the Millennium Development Goals, global maritime safety and security challenges, the Almaty Program of Action and the African Union Maritime Action Plan. For more information on MOWCA, please click here.