To this day, there are 35 ratifications/acceptances/accessions of the Convention.
The States that have ratified, accepted or acceded so far are Singapore, Norway, Japan, Malaysia, India, Panama, The Netherlands, The United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Republic of Korea, France, Denmark, Finland, Cuba, Slovenia, Ireland, Sweden, Albania, Tunisia, Mexico, Oman, Germany, China, Portugal, Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, Brazil, Qatar, Belgium, Türkiye, Solomon Islands.
Please see here the detailed list by date of deposit of the instrument to the ministry.
For each State ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to this Convention after its entry into force (22 August 2024), this Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the deposit of its instrument.
Please find below the certified versions of the Convention in the official languages:
Conference on the draft General Regulations and Financial Regulations for the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
The Conference was held in Tokyo from 7 to 10 November 2023. The Conference was attended by 98 participants representing 38 countries. Pursuant to the Diplomatic Conference held in Kuala Lumpur, the Conference on the Draft General Regulations and Financial Regulations for the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation was convened in Tokyo, Japan, at the kind invitation of the Japan Coast Guard. The Conference resulted in a document entitled Draft General Regulations, Including Financial Regulations after Plenary Review and Scrubbing which will be further discussed at the first General Assembly of the new Organization.
Signing of the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation
26 States signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation at a signing ceremony which took place at the IALA headquarters in Saint Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, on 26 January 2022. This brought the total number of signatures up to 50.
The ceremony was hosted by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs representing the Depositary, the government of France.
This ceremony marked the end of the one-year signature period which started on 27 January 2021 in Paris where France, as Depositary State, represented by Mrs. Annick Girardin, Minister of the sea, was the first State to sign the Convention.
On 26 January 2022, Blanca Elena Jimenez Cisneros, Ambassador of Mexico to France signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, El Hadji Magatte Seye, Ambassador of Senegal to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Mohamed Karim Jamoussi, Ambassador of Tunisia to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Bahram Ghasemi, Ambassador of Iran to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Niall Burgess, Ambassador of Ireland to France, signed the Convention on the International Association for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Kurt Vella Fonde, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy or the Republic of Malta, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Siga Batista, President of Port and Maritime Institute, Guinea Bissau, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Unnur Orradottir-Ramette, Ambassador of Iceland to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Mohamad Oemar, Ambassador of Indonesia to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Revaz Babilua, Director of State Hydrographic Service of Georgia signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Thomas Alonsi, Director General, Ghana Maritime Authority, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Panagiotis Stavrianakos, commender of Hellenic Navy Lighthouse Service signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Ayeid Mousseid Yahya, Ambassador of Djibouti to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Alaa Youssef, Ambassador of Egypt to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Liliane Massala, Ambassador of Gabon to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Jean-Marc Thystere Tchicaya, Minister for Transportation, Civil Aviation and Merchant Navy of Congo (Republic of) signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Maurice Kouakou Bandama, Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Otto Vaillant Frias, Ambassador of Cuba to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Khondker Mohammad Talha, Ambassador of Bangladesh to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Sophann Ket Ambassador of Cambodia to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, André-Magnus Ekoumou Ambassador of Cameroon to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Ahmed Bahiya, Ambassador of Mauritania to France signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Joao Bernardo Miranda, Ambassador of Angola to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 26 January 2022, Dwight Gardiner, Ambassador and Director/Registrar General of the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Marine Services and Merchant Shipping, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 13 Januray 2022, Leonardo Costantino, Ambassador of Argentina to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. Member since 1960, Argentina has been very involved in all IALA activities. They support the work of the technical committees and have hosted a very successful ARM Committee meeting in March 2020 in Buenos Aires. They also cooperate with the IALA World-Wide Academy as they deliver Level 2 AtoN Technician Courses.
On 20 January 2022, Admiral Nikolay Evmenov, Commander in chief of the Navy, Russia, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
On 19 January, Hans-Dieter Lucas, Ambassador of Germany to France has signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. Germany is one of the founder fathers of the organization. Since the need for a co-operation in the special field of aids to navigation was clearly recognized from 1926 under the initiative of France, it is Germany who proposed to formalize such a cooperation in 1955 by establishing a permanent secretariat based in Paris. Germany has constantly been re-elected to Council at each General Assembly. Its expertise in the legal Advisory Panel was also highly appreciated during the diplomatic process.
On 13 Januray 2022, Juan Salazar Sparks, Ambassador of Chile to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. Member since 1963 Chile was first elected to Council in 1980. They have remained part of the Council since then. Chile is a very supportive member of IALA. They also bring a significant contribution to the work of IALA and the World-Wide Academy in translation into Spanish.
December 2021
On 10 December 2021, Teresa Castaldo, Ambassador of Italy to France, has signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
Member since 1957 and at Council since their first election in March 2010 by the 11th General Assembly in Cape Town. In May 1965, Italy hosted the 7th Conference of IALA in Rome which remains memorable for its duration of three weeks and its location in different historical and famous sites. This gave the framework for technical discussions that led to the decision to tackle harmonization problems by establishing new Technical Committees; the introduction of Industrial membership category in IALA, with the recognition of the equipment manufacturers as an immediate solution on the development of new navigation techniques. The first exhibition of equipment manufacturers also took place in Rome during this conference as well as the first General Assembly. With two National members and eight Industrial members, Italy is a very active member in the technical committees and very supportive. Its expertise in VTS is particularly appreciated.
November 2021
On 5 November, Lydia Peeters, Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation for Belgium. Member since 1958 and member of the IALA Council for the period 1990-1994, Belgium is one of the most active members in all IALA activities. They are very engaged in the work of the committees and their expertise in the VTS is particularly appreciated and has brought them to lead the working groups.
On 23 November, Ali Onaner, Ambassador of Turkey to France has signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. Member since 1958 and member of the Council since 2006, Turkey interest in IALA had started a long time before the association was formed. Its high expertise in AtoN and VTS is well recognized and has led them to lead the VTS Committee from 2014 to 2018. Turkey has hosted many IALA events, amongst them a Council meeting in 2012, and a back to back VTS Committee meeting and Symposium the same year. They have hosted the very successful third Preparatory Diplomatic Conference in March 2019 in Istanbul.
On 24 November, Oscar Jose Orrantia Vernaza, Ambassador of Ecuador to France, signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. Since they joined the organization in 1974, Ecuador has been very supportive to the activities of IALA. They have deeply contributed to the ongoing” IALA guideline on extreme environmental conditions and the implications to physical AtoN “and they also bring a significant contribution to the translation of IALA documentation into Spanish.
October 2021
On 13 October, Luis Fernando de Andrade Serra, Ambassador of Brazil to France, signed the convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. Since they joined the organization in 1961, Brazil has been involved in all IALA activities. In June 1988 they were first elected to Council by the 8th General Assembly in Hamburg, Germany. Since then, they have never lost their seat. Brazil hosted the 45th session of the IALA Council in June 2011 and an IMC meeting in 2019 in Rio de Janeiro. Now they are preparing to welcome the very expected 20th IALA Conference in 2023 in the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro. In 2020, the IALA Heritage Lighthouse of the year was awarded to Santo Antônio da Barra Lighthouse in Brazil.
September 2021
On 23 September, Luca Niculescu, Ambassador of Romania to France signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. Since Romania became a member of IALA in 1966, they have constantly contributed to all its activities. They are very active in the General Assembly and have attended the whole diplomatic process. Being amongst the first 30 states to sign the Convention, they confirm their unwavering support to the organization.
On 1 September 2021, Jawed Ashraf, Ambassador of India to France has signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. Member since 1957, India is one of the first Executive Committee members to be elected by the General Assembly at its fourth session in 1980. Since then, its involvement in IALA activities was continuous as their seat to Council was constantly renewed. India is a very active member of the IALA Council and has hosted the 35th session in New Delhi in December 2005 and the 56th session in Goa in December 2013. India also organized a VTS seminar in 2014 and will host the 21st IALA Conference in 2026.
July 2021
On 13 July 2021, Junichi Ihara, Ambassador of Japan to France, has signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
Japan has a very long outstanding cooperation with IALA and has shown interest in the activities of the Association from its inception and before they could formally join in 1959. In 1975 by decision of the 3rd IALA General Assembly, they were given a seat to the Executive Committee and since that time they have constantly been re-elected to Council. In 1980, they hosted the 10th in the series of Conferences which started in 1929. The official title of “XTH IALA CONFERENCE“ was born in Tokyo. It was also during this Conference that the Industrial members created an Industrial Members Committee (IMC) with the view of improving the relations with the IALA Executive Committee at that time. Japan has also organized Council meetings in May 1999 and May 2008. With three Associate members and eight Industrial members, Japan is one of the most active member country. They are also a Board Member of the World-Wide Academy.
On 13 July 2021, Chakib Benmoussa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to France, has signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
Since the Kingdom of Morocco joined IALA in 2016, it has been bringing a strong support to its activities. Morocco organized the second Preparatory Diplomatic Conference in February 2018 which proved to be a success. Morocco has been supporting the ally of the project all along and is now the first African country to sign the convention. They were elected to be part of the Council in 2018 at the General Assembly in Incheon.
Depuis son adhésion en 2016, le Royaume du Maroc n’a cessé d’apporter son soutien aux activités de l’AISM. En proposant d’organiser la deuxième conférence diplomatique préparatoire en février 2018 qui fut un réel succès, il est devenu un allié indiscutable du projet. Il le confirme encore en devenant le premier pays africain à signer la Convention. Son engagement a été salué par l’Assemblée Générale qui l’a élu au Conseil dès sa première candidature à Incheon en 2018.
June 2021
On 24 June 2021, Isabelle Hudon, Ambassador of Canada to France has signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
Canada has been one of most active and supportive members of IALA since they joined at the inception of the Association in 1957. In 1970, with the decision to host the 1975 Conference, they were first granted a seat at the Executive Committee and the Vice-Presidency. Since that time, their commitment has led to their re-election by the General Assembly. They are also at the initiative of the achievement of the “ System B” to complete the “System A“ of the buoyage system, the work of which started during the Ottawa Conference in 1975. These two systems will consist of Regions A & B as a compromise to reach a unified “IALA Maritime buoyage system” in 1980. They held the Presidency of IALA for the period 1975- 1980. They are very active in all the Committees and involve in all IALA activities. They have also recently offered to support IALA in the translation of documents as an English and French speaking country.
On 14 June 2021, Issamary Sanchez Ortega, Ambassador of Panama to France has signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
Panama has a long-standing relationship with IALA since 1999 when they first joined. As one of the world’s major flag states, responsible for a large percentage of the world’s commercial shipping they are also primary user of IALA-developed services. In 2015, they hosted a Safety of Navigation Seminar on Hydrography and Aids to Navigation services, the first one delivered to a Competent Authority of a Single State, delivered by the Worldwide Academy with the participation of the IHO. The objective was to enhance the awareness and competency of managers and officers responsible for the safety of navigation in Panama and update participants on the latest developments relating to hydrography and Aids to Navigation (AtoN). In 2016, they also hosted a IALA World-Wide Academy Risk Management Toolbox Seminar with a worldwide participation.
On 8 June 2021, Mr Teemu Tanner, Ambassador of Finland to France has signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.
Finland has been a member of IALA since 1959. They were first Elected to Council in 1994 by the 7th General Assembly in Honolulu, the United States, and then constantly re-elected. Finland has been very supportive to the work of IALA . They are very active in the legal advisory panel and particularly from the beginning of the diplomatic process. They are also active in the Technical committees and they are part of the IMC.
April-May-June 2021
On 2 June 2021, Mr José Manuel Albares Bueno, Ambassador of Spain to France has signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. Spain has been a member since the inception of IALA in 1957. Their 1st election to Council was in 1994 by the 7th General Assembly in Honolulu, Hawaii and they have been constantly re-elected since. Strongly supportive, they have hosted many IALA events: seminars, Council meetings and the 18th IALA Conference in conjunction with the 12th General Assembly which adopted the Resolution on the Change of Status. They hosted the 1st edition of the World Marine Aids to Navigation Day in Palma de Mallorca on 1st July 2019. Spain is also highly involved in the translation of IALA documentation. They play a major role for the IALA World-Wide Academy with Spanish speaking countries which includes the implementation of the IALA Model Courses in Spanish.
On 5 May 2021, Mr Michael Starbaek Christensen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to France has signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. Denmark joined IALA from the inception of the organization in 1957 and immediately became one the most active members, at the forefront of many initiatives and projects. It was depositary of the “Agreement on the implementation of the Maritime Buoyage System A” which was signed in Copenhagen on 16 March 1977. During the drafting process, they have played a major role in the Technical Committee on the “Unification of the Buoyage Systems”. Their first election to Council was in 1980 and they have always been reelected since then. Denmark has hosted several IALA Meetings ENAV and VTS committee, LAP and Council. The IALA Council has also appointed two Secretary-Generals from Denmark since 1994
On 15 April 2021, Mr Yoo Dae-jong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to France has signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. The Republic of Korea joined IALA in 1962. They have a seat at the Council since their first election at the 10th General Assembly on May 27, 2006 in Shanghai, China. They have hosted the 19th IALA conference in 2018 and they now hold the IALA Presidency for the period 2018-2022. With four Associate and nine Industrial members, they are one of the most active countries in the committees work. They are also an important sponsor to the World-Wide Academy since 2015.
March 2021
On Monday 22 March 2021, Ms Oda Helen Sletnes, Ambassador of Norway to France has signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. Norway has been a member of IALA since the inception of the association in 1957. They were first elected as council member at the 6th General Assembly in Veldhoven, The Netherlands in 1990 and they have always been re-elected since. Norway has been very active and supportive through their participation in IALA activities and technical committees. They hosted the VTS Symposium in Bergen in 2008.
On Tuesday 16 March 2021 Malaysia signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. Malaysia was represented by Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong, Minister of Transport as signatory to the Convention. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of the Ambassador of France to Malaysia, His Excellency Roland Galharague, members of the Light Dues Board as well as MOT top management. Also present were His Excellency Serge Segura, Ambassador for Special Representative for Maritime Negotiations, Mr. Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, Deputy Director of United Nations, International Organizations, Human Rights and Francophony, France as well as Mr. Francis Zachariae, Secretary General of IALA and also the Malaysian Embassy in France, which participated virtually. See the video of the ceremony here.
On Monday 1 March 2021, Mr Zainal Arif Mantaha, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to France has signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. Singapore is a member of IALA since 1966 and they were elected to be part of the Council in 2018. Singapore is long-standing member continuously involved in the work of IALA and is also a generous sponsor of the World-Wide Academy. They will be host country to the 15th Symposium in 2024.
January-February 2021
Wednesday 24 February 2021, Mr Pieter de Gooijer, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to France signed the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation. The Netherlands was part of the Founding fathers and have always been part of the Council, formerly called Executive Committee at the inception of IALA. They actually took part in the informal meeting organized in 1926 by France during the International Navigation Congress held in Cairo to discuss the need for co-operation in the field of aids to navigation. It was during that meeting that France and the Netherlands reached an agreement on the ways and means to achieve such co-operation.
The ceremony for the first signing of the convention by the French minister of the sea and the opening to signature of the convention was held on the 27th of January 2021 in France, the host country of the organization.
In accordance with the Draft Convention text (see below) Article 6.7 Council has approved the Draft General Regulations and Draft Financial Regulations:
Letters about the pre-diplomatic conference to be held in Paris, 18-19 April 2017 are sent to all IALA National Members. Please see below the letters and explanatory note in 3 languages.
The information paper on Change of Status of IALA from NGO to IGO was submitted to IMO 29th General Assembly. It was noted by the assembly without comments.
Information paper on change of status of IALA in English. Information paper on change of status of IALA in French. Information paper on change of status of IALA in Spanish.
December 2014
The General Assembly Resolution directed Council to prepare IALA for a change of status. At its December meeting IALA Council established a Working Group for that purpose.
The new Change of Status Working Group will deliver a high level action plan for the transition of IALA to an IGO and will also finalise IALA’s version of the required Convention text.
The Working Group will meet at least twice yearly, with the first meeting taking place in Madrid on April 9-10, 2015. Assistance will be provided to the Working Group by the Legal Advisory Panel and the Strategy Group.
The Government of France has commenced diplomatic activities and will continue to work closely with Council and the Working Group.
27 May 2014
The IALA General Assembly debated the issue of a change of status for IALA at its General Assembly meeting today. Forty National Members were in attendance (from a possible 77), and robust discussion took place.
Some National Members remained concerned about the identification of risks and their potential impact, whilst others expressed the view that the time is right to move this initiative forward whilst recognising that risk is always associated with change.
National Members were asked to approve a Resolution, which amongst other things directs Council to further consider the preparation of IALA for a change of status. The Resolution was passed by 29 votes to 11. Council will give further consideration to this important project at its meeting later this year.
The full report of the General Assembly is available here.
28 April 2014
The IALA General Assembly will determine whether IALA should direct its efforts towards achieving International Intergovernmental Organisation status at its meeting in A Coruna, Spain, next month. The General Assembly will consider a Resolution on this issue at its first session on 27 May 2014.
The current draft text of the International Agreement and the text of the IALA information Brochure are available via the links provided in the text below. 19 March 2014
Thirty six participants from 16 countries attended the second extraordinary Legal Advisory Panel meeting at IALA Headquarters last week. The group completed the tasks set by Council (see Roadmap and Explanation) by finalising proposed changes to the IALA Constitution, creating a Project Risk Register for the Change of Status Project and developing a draft General Assembly Resolution.
The group also identified additional benefits that may arise as a result of the change of status. These documents will be forwarded to Council for out of session approval or noting, following which they will be used to prepare an information package to be sent to all National Members before the General Assembly.
The Report of the meeting is available here. Further consideration of the draft International Agreement (the latest version is here) will take place after the General Assembly meeting in A Coruna in May 2014.
06 February 2014
IALA National Members are invited to the second extraordinary Legal Advisory Panel meeting, 12-13 March 2014 at IALA Headquarters. This meeting will consider three issues related to the change of status project – the IALA Constitution, risk assessment and text for a Resolution for General Assembly to support this change. The meeting will also provide for working groups to consider matters relevant to the success of this project. Please see the LAP Ex2 Agenda for further details.
December 2013
Council remains committed to a change of status for IALA and provided further direction to LAP in regard to matters that will required consideration prior to the General Assembly meeting in May 2014. Please see item 11.1 of the Council 56 Report.
05 September 2013
IALA National Members have been invited to an Extraordinary meeting of the Legal Advisory Panel to work on the text of the International Agreement. Please see the LAP Meeting details. All National members are encouraged to comment on the draft International agreement by 27 September, and to attend the meeting in Copenhagen.
The brochure explaining the benefits of a change of status for IALA can be accessed by clicking here
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