PRESS RELEASE : International Maritime Organisation Council elections: FCDO statement [December 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 December 2023.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson gave a statement following Russia’s failure to gain election to the IMO Council.

In the last few weeks, Russia has failed to be elected to the International Court of Justice, Human Rights Council, UNESCO Executive Board, and the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.  Yesterday, it failed to be elected to the International Maritime Organisation Council.

This pattern of failure is no coincidence – any state that illegally invades another, commits a litany of human rights violations, attacks civilian ships, fires missiles at World Heritage sites, and contravenes the Chemical Weapons Convention, is manifestly unworthy of a role within these organisations.

The implications are clear: if Russia wishes to contribute to global governance, it must respect its international obligations.