Resolution A.975(24)

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VOLUNTARY  IMO MEMBER STATE AUDIT SCHEME

(Adopted on 1 December 2005)

THE ASSEMBLY,

RECALLING Article 15(j) of the Convention of the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Assembly in relation to regulations and guidelines concerning maritime safety and the prevention and control of marine pollution from ships,

RECALLING the Framework and Procedures for the Voluntary IMO Member State Audit Scheme (hereinafter referred to as the "Audit Scheme") adopted through resolution A.974(24),

RECALLING ALSO the "Code for the implementation of mandatory IMO instruments" adopted through resolution A.973(24),

NOTFNG that the Audit Scheme contains references to the "Code for the implementation of mandatory IMO instruments", as appropriate; and that the Code, in addition to providing guidance for the implementation and enforcement of IMO instruments, forms the basis of the Audit Scheme, in particular concerning the identification of the auditable areas,

NOTFNG ALSO that the "Code for the implementation of mandatory FMO instruments" adopted through resolution A.973(24) does not include security-related matters,

NOTFNG FURTHER that the Framework does not identify obligations and responsibilities relating to maritime security as being within the scope of the Audit Scheme,

RECOGNIZING NEVERTHELESS the importance of Maritime Security,

RECOGNIZING ALSO that the relevant security-related regulations have been adopted only recently, and that time is required for the necessary quality reviews by Member States to ensure optimum efficiency of their implementing procedures,

RECOGNIZING FURTHER that obligations and responsibilities relating to maritime security may be under the responsibility of different national authorities within Member States,

RECALLING that other safety and environmental protection