Türkiye reelected into international maritime organization’s ruling body

By Mustafa Calkaya and Emir Yildirim

Türkiye has been reelected into the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) Council during its general assembly on Tuesday.

Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu told Anadolu that Ankara will continue to shape the global maritime policies with projects in traffic safety, technological infrastructure, and international cooperation.

Uraloglu said that Türkiye maintained its position in the council as an uninterrupted member since 2006, and the country’s reelection indicates the importance Türkiye attaches to navigational safety and the trust in the country.

The minister said that Türkiye was one of the founding members of IALA since 1958 and Türkiye led its Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Committee in 2014-18, hosting a council meeting in 2012 and a VTS meeting and symposium back-to-back.

He noted that Türkiye hosted the 3rd Preparatory Diplomatic Conference in Istanbul in 2019, contributing to maritime policies worldwide and reinforcing its active role within the organization.

“We will continue to have a say in global policies with our experience and technologies we gained in the maritime field and we will further strengthen Türkiye’s leadership in the field with our projects,” Uraloglu added.