Resolution A.945(23)

1991 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONVENTION ON THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION
(Institutionalization of the Facilitation Committee)

(Adopted on 24 November 2003)

THE ASSEMBLY,

RECALLING resolution A.640(16) by which it decided to take the necessary steps at its seventeenth regular session to adopt amendments to the Convention on the International Maritime Organization (the IMO Convention) in order to institutionalize the Facilitation Committee in the IMO Convention,

RECALLING resolution A.724(17) adopted on 7 November 1991 relating to the adoption of amendments to the Convention on the International Maritime Organization (hereinafter referred to as the 1991 amendments),

FURTHER RECALLING that, in accordance with the provisions of Article 66 of the IMO Convention, the 1991 amendments will enter into force twelve months after the requisite instruments of acceptance from two-thirds of the Members of the Organization have been deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations,

RECALLING ALSO resolution C.75(88) adopted by the Council on 14 June 2002 by which the Council urged those Member Governments which had not yet done so to accept the 1991 amendments as soon as possible with a view to achieving the requisite two thirds of the Members of the Organization needed in order to give effect to the institutionalization of the Facilitation Committee,

REAFFIRMING the importance of the entry into force of the 1991 amendments for further enhancing the facilitation of international maritime traffic through institutionalization of the Facilitation Committee,

BEING CONCERNED that, 12 years after the adoption of the 1991 amendments, the requisite number of acceptances for the amendment to enter into force has not yet been achieved, falling short of the required two thirds of IMO Member Governments by 30,

EMPHASIZING that acceptance of the 1991 amendments bears no financial implications to Member Governments,