IALA: NGO turns IGO for statutory effect

Tayo Oladipupo |

International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) has commenced moves to change its status from an international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to an Inter-Governmental Organisation (IGO)

The move is intended to give statutory effects to its resolutions for member countries to enforce them rather than see outcomes of its meetings as advisory only.

This decision was taken at its recent meeting in Istanbul, Turkey ahead of the 2020 diplomatic conference.

IALA with 8 member countries from the Maritime Organisation for West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and other member countries outside across the globe is in charge of promoting standards for safety of navigation through aids like buoys and land based equipment.

It also promotes vessel traffic systems (separation of traffic in very busy and narrow routes to avoid ship collisions). The organisation provides capacity building programmes for developing countries through training by its World Wide Academy.

IALA recommendations and resolutions are not enforced by maritime states because they are viewed as mere advisory due to its NGO status. Standards set up by this organisation are not mandatory unless there are endorsed by the International Maritime Organisation.

Sources close to the recent meeting disclosed that “This is why members are working on a constitution to move the organisation from its current status of NGO to an Inter-Governmental Organisation (IGO). The text of this constitution has been discussed in Paris at our first preparatory diplomatic conference, in Marrakesh at the second one and lately in Istanbul from 12 to 14 March 2019”

The third meeting was preceded by a workshop on how to implement standards of IALA.

Discussions were focused on membership (industrial members including manufacturers of aids to navigation, National members including Maritime Administrations and Associate Members including Port Authorities and any relevant technical institution),

Its working languages have been limited to three to save cost and maintain a manageable budget.

The Diplomatic Conference will take place in Kuala Lampur next year.